Annual Survey
An annual survey connects the condition of the ship and its systems with continued maintenance of the conditions required by the certificate. Documents, examinations and tests within the relevant scope support the outcome and its endorsement.
Operational Explanation
An annual survey is a general inspection of the items relating to the certificate, checking that they have been maintained and remain satisfactory for the intended service. It concerns the actual ship: documents, observed condition and relevant test results must be consistent.
An annual survey is not certificate renewal. Prepare maintenance status, modifications and open defects; agree the checks required for that certificate and ship with the surveyor.
| Evidence to prepare | Connection with the survey |
|---|---|
| Maintenance and history | Identified equipment, work, results and defects still open. |
| Observed condition | Access and availability of examined items; identification of items that cannot be verified. |
| Relevant tests | System, agreed method, result and follow-up of any abnormality. |
| Completion | Report, decision and pertinent certificate endorsement, with outstanding items and deadlines. |
Regulatory Reference
IMO A.1207(34), HSSC 2025. Section 4.2: a window of three months before or after the anniversary date where an annual survey is required. IMO MEPC 84 approved a package of BWM amendments: draft approval, adoption and entry into force are separate stages. Do not treat the draft as an annual requirement already in force.
MARPOL VI/5.1.4 requires an annual survey within three months before or after the anniversary date, within regulation 5.1 (ships of 400 GT and above and the specified platforms, subject to applicable exemptions). Passenger ships are not excluded: identify the certificate and instrument rather than extending the SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety regime to MARPOL. IMO — MARPOL VI/5.1 and 5.1.4.
HSSC §4.2.2 includes certificate examination, visual examination of items and relevant tests, as well as checking for unapproved modifications. Condition and doubts may require further investigation: available maintenance records do not replace this evidence. HSSC 2025 — A.1207(34).
Scope of Application
Apply the survey scope to the actual certificate. Do not automatically call every recurring check an Annual Survey: cargo Safety Radio, for example, requires a periodical survey.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Identify the certificate, anniversary date and survey due.
- Record window opening and closing and agree the programme.
- Prepare previous reports, modifications, maintenance and open defects.
- Arrange safe access and tests against the agreed scope.
- Check outcome, certificate endorsement and deadlines for required actions.
For each finding retain the equipment/area, observation, required check, result and follow-up. An inaccessible item or incomplete test remains identifiable in the programme; the competent surveyor determines the necessary verification. Reconcile the report and endorsement with outstanding-item status before handover to the ship.
Practical Example
Anniversary date 15 September: annual window from 15 June to 15 December. Arrange access, tests and any repairs in advance; booking the surveyor does not establish survey completion.
A required equipment test fails during attendance. The finding identifies the equipment and result; the ship and responsible parties arrange follow-up, while the competent party determines the effect on the survey outcome. An updated maintenance record alone does not remove the abnormality.
What Typically Goes Wrong
Reducing the survey to paperwork, ignoring modifications or confusing a future BWM amendment with an effective requirement.
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare only documents | Item condition and necessary tests may remain unverified. | Agree items, access and tests and connect results with the documented condition. |
| Fail to disclose modifications or open defects | The programme may not examine the actual configuration or a relevant condition. | Present modifications, maintenance and outstanding items before the survey and have follow-up defined. |
| Mistake booking for completion | The window may close without a completed survey and required endorsement. | Follow reports, outcome and certificate through to documented completion. |
| Apply a BWM draft as an effective requirement | Preparation uses a regulatory basis that is not yet applicable. | Verify the instrument, adoption, entry into force and scope before changing the programme. |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Use a separate row for each certificate and survey.
- Assign each finding an owner and deadline.
- Retain completion evidence and endorsements.
Preparation checklist
- Certificate and survey identified
- Window checked
- Technical scope agreed
- Documents and access ready
- Outcome and findings recorded
FAQ
Related Topics
Certified substantive revision: 13 October 2026 · page fingerprint 13206f8d1a6a