The Merchant Shipping (Gas Carriers) Regulations 1994

Survey requirements

4.—(1) The structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and materials (other than items in respect of which a Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Radiotelegraphy Certificate or Cargo Ship Safety Radiotelephony Certificate is issued) of a gas carrier shall be subjected to the following surveys:

(a) an initial survey before the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk is issued for the first time, which shall include a complete examination of its structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and materials in so far as the ship is covered by the IGC Code; such a survey shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and materials fully comply with the applicable provisions of the IGC Code;

(b) a periodical survey at intervals not exceeding 5 years which shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and materials comply with the applicable provisions of the IGC Code;

(c) a minimum of one intermediate survey during the period of validity of the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk; in cases where only one such intermediate survey is carried out in any one certificate validity period, it shall be held not before 6 months prior to, nor later than 6 months after, the half-way date of the certificate’s period of validity; intermediate surveys shall be such as to ensure that the equipment and associated pump and piping systems comply with the applicable provisions of the IGC Code and are in good working order; a record of such surveys in the form entitled “Endorsement for Intermediate Surveys” set out in the appendix to the IGC Code shall be endorsed by the surveyor on the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk;

(d) an annual survey within 3 months before or after the anniversary date of the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk which shall include a general examination to ensure that the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and materials remain in all respects satisfactory for the service for which the ship is intended; a record of such survey in the form entitled “Endorsement for Mandatory Annual Surveys” set out in the appendix to the IGC Codes shall be endorsed by the surveyor on the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk;

(e) an additional survey, either general or partial according to the circumstances, shall be made when it has been determined under regulation 6(3) to be necessary, or whenever any important repairs or renewals are made; such a survey shall ensure that the necessary repairs or renewals have been effectively made, that the materials and workmanship of such repairs or renewals are satisfactory, and that the ship is fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board; a record of such survey shall be endorsed by the surveyor on the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk certifying that on completion of the survey the ship complied with the relevant provisions of the IGC Code.

(2) Every such survey of a United Kingdom ship shall be carried out by a surveyor appointed by the Secretary of State.