On February 3, 2000, International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a harmonized

survey system for ships, in order to alleviate the problems caused by survey dates and
intervals between surveys which do not coincide, covering international shipping
regulations including the codes and conventions of these following institutions:

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974

The International Convention on Load Lines (LL), 1966

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,

1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto MARPOL 73/78

The International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships

Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code)

Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous

Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code)

Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied

Gases in Bulk (IGC Code).

Features
1) A standard interval of one year between harmonised surveys for ships which
could be based on any of the followings:

Initial survey A complete inspection of all the items concerning the

particular certificate before the ship is put into service to make sure they
possess satisfactory conditions and are capable of carry out the service for
which the ship is intended

Periodical survey An official examination of the items relating to the

particular certificate to ensure that they are meeting the requirements and are
fit for the intended services

Renewal survey As similar as the periodical survey but consequently

results in issuing a new certificate
Intermediate survey Inspection of specified items

Annual survey General reviewing of the items concerned to the

particular certificate to ascertain the fact that they have been observed
maintained and remained fit for the service for which the ship is designated.

Additional survey General or partial Inspection, according to the

circumstances, made after a repair resulting from casualty probes or whenever
there is an important repair or renewal made.
2) A maximum period of validity of one year and five years for all passenger ship
certificates and cargo ship certificates respectively
3) Three months extension for cargo ship certificates on the harmonised survey
system for ships and one month for short voyages. When the duration of a
particular certificate is extended, the period of validity of new certificate begins
from the expiry date of last certificate.
4) At least two inspections are required to be executed of the ships bottom in a
five year period; maximum interval between the inspections has also been set at
not more than thirty six months.

5) A substantive harmonised system for merchant marine which credits a

combined cargo ship safety certificate to replace existing safety equipment,
safety construction and safety radio certificates
6) No more unscheduled inspections for harmonised system of classification for
ships, while annual surveys have been made mandatory.

Purpose

Surveys, made in accordance with the harmonised survey system for ships, are
purported to harmonize intervals between surveys of all legitimate certificates
issued to all marine vessels. The harmonized system is presumed to facilitate all
the troubles of periods between surveys so that any ship would not have to worry
about going into the process of a survey schedule required by one convention
right after having gone through the same thing concerned in connection with
another instrument.

Certificates
The Harmonised system of classification for ships is related to several
certificates, depending upon the type of ships, including:

Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, including Record of Equipment

Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate

Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, including Record of Equipment

Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate, including Record of Equipment

Cargo Ship Safety Certificate, including Record of Equipment

International Load Lines Certificate

International Load Lines Exemption Certificate

International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate

International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious

Liquid Substances in Bulk

International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous

Chemicals in Bulk
International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in

Bulk

Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk