Regulation 7

Every cargo ship shall be subjected to the surveys specified below: ( a ) An initial survey before the ship is put into service or before the certificate required under regulation 8 is issued for the first time, which shall include a complete survey of its —

structure, stability, machinery, arrangements and materials, including outside the ship’s hull and inside and outside of the boiler and equipment. This survey shall be such as to ensure the arrangements, materials and scantlings of the structure, boiler and other pressure vessels and their appurtenances, main and auxiliary machinery, electrical installations, compasses and other equipment fully comply with these Regulations; (ii) life-saving appliances, fire-detection and extinguishing systems and the lights and means of making sound signals and distress signals, required by these Regulations and the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Collisions at Sea) Regulations [Rg 10]. Where pilot ladders are carried, these shall also be surveyed to ensure that they are in a safe working condition and comply with the relevant requirements of these Regulations; and (iii) radio installations, portable radio apparatus for survival craft and emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB). ( b ) Periodical surveys at intervals specified below —

4 years in the case of structure and machinery of the ship referred to in Chapters II-1 and II-2 except that the period may be extended for one year subject to the ship being surveyed internally or externally as far as it is reasonable and practicable; (ii) two years in the case of the equipment of the ship referred to in Chapters II-2 and III; and (iii) one year in the case of the radio installations. The survey shall be such as to ensure that the items referred to in sub-paragraph ( a ), in particular the safety equipment, fully comply with the applicable requirements of these Regulations, that the equipment is in good working order and that the stability information is readily available on board. However, where the duration of the certificate issued under regulation 8 is extended under regulation 10(3), the interval of the periodical survey may be extended correspondingly. ( c ) Intermediate surveys in the case of the structure or machinery and equipment of the ship at intervals specified by the Certifying Authority. The survey shall be such as to ensure that alterations which would adversely affect the safety of the ship or the crew have not been made. (2) After any survey of the ship under this regulation has been completed, no significant change shall be made to the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements or material covered by the survey without the permission of the Director, except the direct replacement of such equipment or fittings.