Vetting Inspection Closing Meetings

INTERTANKO Vetting SeminarManila

November, 2007

The Vetting Inspection

• The physical inspection of the ship is only one part of the overall vetting process

• However, the physical inspection is generally the largest factor weighed by the respective vetting group

Screening

• When an oil major screens a ship and reviews a SIRE report, there are two available sources of information from the relevant SIRE report: – The inspector’s comments– The ship-owners’ comments

Which carries more weight?

No problem here No

problem there

Closing meeting

• Most inspectors will sit down and discuss observations and comments after a vetting inspection is completed.

• If not, the Master should record a written objection that this has not taken place and inform the company immediately.

• Intertanko inspection feedback forms indicate that inspectors generally discuss observations with ships’ Masters prior to leaving the vessel.

Closing meeting

Q4: Did the inspector discuss any observations found before leaving the vessel?

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Yes No N/A Yes No N/A Yes No N/A Yes No N/A

2003 2004 2005 2006

Closing meeting

• In some cases the inspector will change his opinion and subsequently may change deficiencies/observations.

Q5: Did the inspector change his opinion due to disussions of the observations?

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Yes No N/A Yes No N/A Yes No N/A Yes No N/A

2003 2004 2005 2006

What should be discussed?

• ALL deficiencies and observations noted by the inspector

• Any details relevant to each individual observation

• Any additional information is beneficial

• The Master or ship’s representative should ask the inspector to clarify deficiencies with actions taken on board, etc.

Example inspector observations

• “Emergency fire pump inoperative”• Or…• “Emergency fire pump inoperative. The master showed

the inspector a company SMS non-conformity report indicating that the pump was noted as inoperative during regular maintenance. In addition, a purchase order and confirmation of delivery for spares was sighted onboard. Master also stated that extra fire rounds were being carried out until the emergency pump is put back in service”

Example inspector observations

• “30% breakdown of coating on stbd side”• Or…• “Some coating breakdown (1-2%) over 30% area on stbd

side.”

Example inspector observations

• “Fixed gas detection in cargo pump room in operable”• Or…• “Fixed gas detection in cargo pump room in operable.

The master showed the inspector a company SMS non-conformity report and a purchase order for spares. Deck watch has temporary procedure in place to test with portable equipment every hour during discharging.”

Closing meeting

• Polite and professional attitude to be kept at all times.• Objections and clarifications must be brought to the

attention of the inspector.• Master or ship’s representatives should be confident

in the clarifications they give.• If any questions exist, then the OCIMF VIQ to be

consulted

• All licenses, logs, publications, certificates, etc. should be organized and on hand

• Customary to offer refreshments to the inspector (e.g. bottled water, coffee, etc.)

Open discussion