Annual
- Typical window
- ±3 months from anniversary
- Scope/conditions
- General verification and endorsement
Compliance & inspections
Surveys
Illustrative statutory and class survey calendar, with explicitly scoped bottom-inspection rules.
Source of record. This page is a cross-cutting overview. Each linked topic contains the detailed regulatory reference, revision stamp and content fingerprint. If a summary and its linked topic differ, the linked topic governs.
Illustrative HSSC timeline
- 0Renewal / cycle start
- 1Annual 1
- 2Annual or Intermediate 2
- 3Intermediate or Annual 3
- 4Annual 4
- 5Renewal 5
Certificate-specific provisions govern windows and content.
Intermediate
- Typical window
- Second or third anniversary window
- Scope/conditions
- Replaces the Annual in the selected window
Renewal
- Typical window
- Under the certificate provision
- Scope/conditions
- Complete examination and new cycle
Bottom inspection
- Typical window
- Cargo: at least 2 / 5 years, max 36 months
- Scope/conditions
- Scope below the waterline
In-water inspection
- Typical window
- Only where authorised and applicable
- Scope/conditions
- Conditional, not automatic, alternative
Dry-dock / class survey
- Typical window
- Under class plan and approvals
- Scope/conditions
- Hull, appendages, sea inlets and work
Bottom surveys and IWS. For cargo ships subject to the relevant SOLAS chapter I survey provisions, at least two inspections of the ship's bottom are required in each five-year period and the interval between any two must not exceed 36 months. Whether an in-water inspection may replace a dry-dock inspection depends on SOLAS, the Administration's authorization, ship age/type, class rules and any applicable enhanced survey requirements.
Extended Dry-Docking
Some classification-society and flag-State programmes may permit an extended interval between dry dockings, potentially using consecutive approved in-water surveys, subject to ship eligibility, enhanced monitoring and prior approval. This does not alter the applicable maximum interval between required bottom inspections and must not be presented as an automatic 7.5-year entitlement.
Planning of afloat annual and intermediate surveys should be coordinated with bottom, docking and approved in-water inspections; Annual and Intermediate surveys are not IWS.
Use limitations. This overview supports learning and preparation; it does not replace procedures, authority decisions, Company instructions or verification of current source material.