HSSC ( Harmonized System of Survey and Certification )

The main points of the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification are as follows:

       o The maximum period of validity of all certificates except the passenger ship safety certificate is five years. The passenger ship safety certificate shall be renewed annually.

       o Each full term of five years (or one year) will follow directly on from the previous one (unless a ship is laid up or undergoing major repairs); each certificate will be dated from the expiry date of the previous one.

       o In order to provide the necessary flexibility, the renewal survey may be carried out up to three months before the expiry of the existing certificate. The new certificate will still be dated from the expiry date of the old certificate.

       o A certificate may also be extended by a period of up to three months (or for ships engaged on short voyages there is a period of grace of one month) in order that the renewal survey may be carried out. However, the new certificate will still be dated from the expiry date of the old certificate before the extension was granted.

       o Where a renewal survey has been completed and a certificate cannot be issued or placed aboard the ship before the expiry date of the existing certificate, the existing certificate may be endorsed and shall be accepted as the new certificate for a period of up to five months from the expiry date.

       o Every certificate will be subject to an Annual, Intermediate or Periodical survey each year within three months of its anniversary date (the day and month of each year corresponding to the date of expiry) as follows:

                a. The Passenger Certificate (PC) requires a Renewal survey each year.

                b. The Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate (RADIO) requires a Periodical survey each year.

                c. The International Load Line Certificate (LOADLINE) requires an Annual survey each year.

                d. The Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (SEC) requires an Annual survey every year. On either the second or third year this is replaced with a Periodical survey.

       o Following certificates require Annual surveys each year. On either the second or third year this is replaced with an Intermediate survey :

                e. The Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate (SAFCON),

                f. The International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC/GC),

                g. The International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC/BCH),

                h. The International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPPC) and

                i. The International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk.

       o If an Annual, Intermediate or Periodical Survey is completed more than three months before the anniversary date, the anniversary date may be amended to suit and the expiry date of the certificate brought forward by a corresponding period or, if the expiry date is to remain unchanged, additional surveys, as appropriate, carried out so that the pattern of surveys remains the same and the maximum intervals between the various types of surveys are not exceeded.

       o A new Cargo Ship Safety Certificate (CSSC), which includes provision for recording all the surveys required for the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate and the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, may be issued as an alternative to the existing cargo ship safety certificates.