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SOLAS / ISM Code / PSC Compliance
Vessel Periodic Safety Inspection
Comprehensive safety inspection services: pre-survey inspection, gap analysis, classification document preparation and PSC readiness. Ensuring vessels maintain SOLAS, ISM Code and international regulation compliance.
500+
Ships Inspected
99.5%
PSC Pass Rate
15+
Years of Experience
12
Ports Served
Hero: Ship safety inspection / surveyor on deck (1920x800px)
SOLAS / ISM Code / PSC Compliance
Periodic Ship Safety Inspection
Comprehensive safety inspection services: pre-survey inspection, gap analysis, classification documentation preparation and PSC readiness. Ensuring your vessel always complies with SOLAS, ISM Code and international regulations.
Types of Inspection / Survey
6 mandatory survey types under SOLAS Chapter I, Regulations 6-13
Annual Survey
Annual Survey
General inspection within 3 months before/after the certificate anniversary date. Confirms equipment is properly maintained with no unauthorized modifications.
Intermediate Survey
Intermediate Survey
Conducted between the 2nd and 3rd year. More thorough than annual: hull structure, engine room, tanks, and safety systems inspection.
Special / Renewal Survey — 5 Years
Special / Renewal Survey — 5 Years
The most comprehensive inspection. Full re-examination of structure, machinery, and equipment. New 5-year certificate issued.
Docking Survey
Docking Survey
Twice in 5 years (max 36 months apart). Inspection of underwater hull, propeller, rudder, and sea valves.
Additional Survey
Additional Survey
After accidents, incidents, damage or repairs affecting safety. Also when PSC finds serious deficiencies.
Pre-Arrival PSC Preparation
Pre-Arrival PSC Preparation
Comprehensive check before port entry. Gap analysis, deficiency rectification, ensuring PSC inspection pass.
Mandatory Certificates
International certificates required for cargo ships ≥500 GT under SOLAS & IMO conventions
| Certificate | Abbreviation | Validity | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety Construction Certificate | SCC | 5 years | Annual, Intermediate, Renewal |
| Safety Equipment Certificate | SEC | 5 years | Annual, Periodical |
| Safety Radio Certificate | SRC | 5 years | Annual, Periodical |
| International Load Line Certificate | ILLC | 5 years | Annual |
| IOPP Certificate (MARPOL Annex I) | IOPP | 5 years | Annual, Intermediate |
| ISM — Document of Compliance | DOC | 5 years | Annual verification |
| ISM — Safety Management Certificate | SMC | 5 years | Intermediate (year 2-3) |
| ISPS — Ship Security Certificate | ISSC | 5 years | Intermediate |
| Maritime Labour Certificate | MLC | 5 years | Intermediate |
| Classification Certificate | Class | 5 years | Annual, Intermediate, Special |
| International Tonnage Certificate | ITC 69 | Unlimited | — |
Detailed Inspection Items
Comprehensive checklist in 5 groups — click a tab to view details
Lifeboats — SOLAS Ch.III
- Hull: no cracks, damage, corrosion; drain plug operational
- Engine starts within 2 minutes (from cold); fuel ≥75%, sufficient for 24h at 6 knots
- Fully equipped per LSA Code (rations, water, first aid, compass, sea anchor...)
- Launching equipment: davit, winch, wire, limit switch operational; wire replaced every 5 years
- Release gear (on-load & off-load): annual inspection, 5-year overhaul (SOLAS III/20.11)
Liferafts
- Annual service certificate from authorized service station
- HRU valid (replaced every 2 years); lashing & cradle in good condition; float-free correct
- Container undamaged; painter line correct length and securely fastened
Life Jackets, Lifebuoys & Signals
- Life jackets: sufficient quantity, lights & whistles operational, retro-reflective tape, donning instructions
- Lifebuoys: self-igniting lights, smoke signals, rescue lines; vessel name & port of registry
- Pyrotechnics: 12 rockets (bridge), 6 hand flares + 2 smoke signals per boat — valid for 3 years
- EPIRB 406MHz: registered, battery valid, HRU 2 years, annual test, correct MMSI
- SART/AIS-SART: minimum 2 units, battery valid
Portable Fire Extinguishers — SOLAS Ch.II-2
- Correct type & quantity per Fire Safety Plan; CO₂ not in living quarters
- Pressure in green zone; seal & pin intact; inspection tag valid
- Hydrostatic test within 10 years; spare charges available
Fixed Fire Fighting Systems
- CO₂: bottles weighed (>10% loss → replace), pilot bottles, alarm, ventilation closure
- Foam: foam quality (tested every 3 years), proportioner, nozzles clear
- Water mist/sprinkler: pump, nozzle, filter; fire detection & alarm panel
SCBA, EEBD & Firefighting Equipment
- SCBA: sufficient pressure (200/300 bar), clean mask, alarm operational, 2 spare charges, hydrostatic test 5 years
- EEBD: correct location, photoluminescent signs, valid, ≥10 minutes
- Fireman's outfit: minimum 2 sets, complete (suit, helmet, 3h lamp, axe, 30m line)
- Fire Control Plan: updated, posted in correct locations, weatherproof spare copy
Navigation Lights — COLREG 72
- All lights operational: masthead, sidelights, stern, anchor, NUC, RAM
- Correct color, visibility range, arc; spare lights/auto changeover
- Light panel on bridge operational; light failure alarm
Shapes & Sound Signals
- Ball, diamond, cone, cylinder: correct size (≥0.6m ball), painted black
- Whistle: audible range per vessel length (200m+ → 2 nautical miles)
- Bell: forward ≥300mm; Gong: aft (vessels ≥100m)
GMDSS Equipment — SOLAS Ch.IV
- VHF DSC (Ch.70) operational; MF/HF DSC (sea area A3/A4)
- Inmarsat ship earth station (sea area A3); NAVTEX 518 kHz
- EPIRB 406MHz: float-free, correct MMSI, battery + HRU valid
- SART/AIS-SART: minimum 2 units; portable VHF: minimum 3 units
- Reserve batteries: sufficient capacity when main/auxiliary power fails
- Radio log updated; operator certificates (GOC/ROC) valid
ISM Code — SOLAS Ch.IX
- SMS Manual: safety policy, operational procedures, DPA designation
- Planned Maintenance System (PMS): inventory, schedules, records complete
- Drill records: fire drill, abandon ship drill — minimum monthly
- Internal audit: annual, findings documented, corrective actions tracked
- Non-conformity tracking: NCs → corrective action → closure → DPA review
ISPS Code — Ship Security
- Ship Security Plan (SSP) approved
- Ship Security Officer (SSO) trained and designated
- Security level compliance; drill records; access control
Service Process
6 steps from receiving request to successful survey support
1
Receive Request
Receive vessel information, planned survey schedule, type of inspection required.
2
Planning
Review certificates, create detailed checklist, define inspection scope.
3
Gap Analysis
Comprehensive on-board inspection. Identify deficiencies, expired equipment, non-compliance.
4
Detailed Report
Report with classified deficiencies: Critical (detention), Major (conditions), Minor (observations).
5
Deficiency Rectification
Repair, replace equipment, supply spare parts. Prepare survey-ready documentation.
6
Survey Support
Accompany the vessel when class surveyor arrives. Assist with queries and on-site resolution.
Port State Control (PSC)
Understanding PSC procedures and common deficiencies
Understanding Port State Control (PSC)
PSC Inspection Procedure
- Initial: Check certificates, general condition, manning, maintenance overview
- Detailed: If "clear grounds" — operational test lifeboat, fire pump, GMDSS
- NIR System: Priority I (mandatory), Priority II (possible), Not eligible (recently inspected)
- Ship Risk: High Risk (HRS), Standard Risk (SRS), Low Risk (LRS)
Fire safety = 15.58% (Paris MoU) / 21.37% (Tokyo MoU) detentions
Deficiencies Leading to Detention
- Lifeboats unable to launch; insufficient lifejackets; liferaft overdue service
- Fixed fire-fighting system inoperable; fire detection failed in engine room
- GMDSS unable to transmit distress (EPIRB faulty, VHF DSC error)
- No valid SMC/DOC; SMS not effectively implemented
- Crew unable to operate equipment; manning below minimum
Common PSC Deficiency Codes
Per Tokyo MOU & Paris MOU coding system
| Code | Category | Common Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|
| 0710 | Lifeboats | Damage, launching equipment failure, engine won't start |
| 0720 | Liferafts | Overdue service, HRU expired, lashing damaged |
| 0740 | Life jackets | Insufficient quantity, lights broken, retro-reflective tape missing |
| 0780 | Distress signals | Expired pyrotechnics — the single most common deficiency |
| 0790 | EPIRB | Battery expired, unregistered, wrong MMSI, HRU expired |
| 0810 | Fire extinguishers | Overdue service, missing, wrong type, pressure in red zone |
| 0840 | Fixed fire fighting system | CO₂ bottles underweight, foam degraded, not tested |
| 0850 | Fire detection/alarm | Detector broken, panel faulty, zones unidentified |
| 0860 | SCBA | Low pressure, mask damaged, spare charges missing |
| 0910 | Navigation lights | Broken, wrong visibility range, no spare lights |
| 1310-1350 | GMDSS | VHF/MF/HF broken, NAVTEX faulty, battery insufficient capacity |
Vietnamese Regulations
Vietnamese-flagged vessels must comply with national standards
QCVN 21:2015/BGTVT
Classification and construction of steel sea-going ships
Comprehensive: hull, machinery, electrical, fire, LSA, navigation. Harmonized with IACS & IMO.
QCVN 57:2015/BGTVT
Inspection of ships in service
6 survey types: initial, annual, intermediate, special, additional, docking.
QCVN 42:2015/BGTVT
Marine safety equipment
Equipment list and technical requirements for safety equipment on Vietnamese ships.
Tokyo MOU Member
Vietnam — Vietnam Maritime Administration (VMA)
Vietnam participates in Tokyo MOU on PSC. NIR inspection with Ship Risk Profile system.
Classification Societies
IACS members and survey coordination partners
DNV
Norway
~21% of world fleet
ClassNK
Japan
~20% of world fleet
Lloyd's Register
UK
~15% of world fleet
Bureau Veritas
France
~12% of world fleet
ABS
USA
~12% of world fleet
CCS
China
~10% of world fleet
RINA
Italy
~4% of world fleet
Vietnam Register (VR)
Vietnam — Vietnam Register
Vietnam-flagged vessels
Frequently Asked Questions
Per SOLAS: Annual survey every year (±3 months), Intermediate survey between years 2-3, Special/Renewal survey every 5 years, Docking survey twice in 5 years (max 36 months apart). Additionally, Additional survey after incidents.
Special Survey is the most comprehensive inspection: hull structure (thickness measurements, tank inspections, close-up survey), machinery (main engine, auxiliary, steering gear), electrical equipment, all safety equipment (LSA, FFE, navigation, GMDSS), and documentation (certificates, PMS records, drill logs). Successful completion results in a new 5-year certificate.
The most effective way: pre-arrival inspection 2-4 weeks before port entry. Verify all certificates are valid, safety equipment is operational, maintenance records are updated, crew knows procedures. AZMarine provides PSC readiness check services to identify and rectify deficiencies before PSCO boards the vessel.
We have technical teams at: Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai, VICT), Vung Tau, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Can Tho and other major ports. 24/7 service, including vessels at anchorage. Emergency cases (PSC detention) prioritized with 2-hour response.
Costs depend on: vessel type, size, inspection scope (annual/intermediate/special), and volume of deficiencies to rectify. Contact AZMarine for a free detailed quotation. Compared to the cost of PSC detention (delays, penalties, reputation), periodic inspection services are a very reasonable investment.
Additional Survey is required when: after accidents (collision, grounding), damage affecting structure/safety, major repairs, or when Flag State / PSC requests. Scope varies — from localized to comprehensive inspection.
Prepare a survey-ready package: valid certificates with endorsement records, PMS printouts, service reports (liferaft, SCBA, fire extinguisher), drill records & training certificates, previous survey reports & conditions of class. AZMarine assists in compiling and organizing all documentation.
We work with all IACS members: DNV, Lloyd's Register, Bureau Veritas, ClassNK, ABS, RINA, KR, CCS and especially Vietnam Register (VR). We assist with scheduling surveys, preparing documentation, managing conditions of class, and handling transfer of class.
Ensure Your Vessel Stays Compliant
Pre-survey inspection, PSC readiness, emergency response. Contact AZMarine to schedule your periodic safety inspection today.