IMSML Website Article 16/2023: Resolution MSC.527(106) - International Code for the Safety of Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code), Part 6 of 6 - APPENDIX of the IP Code

This is the last part of a series of articles on the IP Code, ie Part 6. The subject-matter is on the contents of the Appendix attached to the IP Code. The Appendix contains the Form of Safety Certificate for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel.

Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate

The first document in the Appendix is named the ‘Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate’, also known as ‘Form IP’. At the top is the following: ‘This Certificate shall be supplemented by a Record of Equipment for the Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate’. Just below this, on the left hand side is the ‘official seal’, whilst on the other side, is the description of the ‘State’. The certificate is issued under the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974, as amended, under the authority of the named ‘State’ and ‘person in the authorised organisation’.

The next part of the form contains the usual particulars of the ship, which may also be placed horizontally in boxes, such as:

[1] Name of the ship;

[2] Distinctive number or letters;

[3] Port of Registry;

[4] Gross tonnage;

[5] IMO Number, ie which must comply with the IMO Ship Identification Number Scheme adopted by IMO Resolution A.1117(30).

[6] Date on which the keel was laid (or a similar stage of construction). Where applicable the date on which conversion, alteration or modification work was done on the ship.

The certificate contains check boxes for the following:

[1] Survey of the ship had been carried out in accordance with Section I/3 of the IP Code, as a ship to which Regulations XV/3.1 or 3.4 of the Convention apply. Compliance with this survey will show that the ship’s structure, equipment, fittings and materials are satisfactory. It also shows compliance with Regulation III/2 of the IP Code with respect to personnel transfer appliances (if fitted) and arrangements.

[2] The ship had been surveyed pursuant to Section I/3 of the IP Code, ie to which Regulations XV/3.2 or XV/3.3 of the Convention apply. This shows that Regulation IV/7 or V/7 of the Code with respect to life-saving appliances and equipment of the lifeboats have been complied with. If permitted to carry dangerous goods, this also shows compliance with Regulations IV/8 or V/8 of the Code (if applicable). If fitted with personnel transfer appliances, this shows that the arrangements are in compliance with Regulation III/2 of the Code (except for Paragraph 2.1.7).

There are a number of products which the certificate is no valid for. These include carriage of toxic products, low-flashpoint products or acids, when the number of persons on board the ship exceeds 60.

The certificates also contains the following:

[1] The validity date of the certificate;

[2] the completion date of the survey on which the certificate is based;

[3] The place of issue of the certificate;

[4] Date of issue of the certificate;

[5] Signature of the authorised official issuing the certificate;

[6] Seal or stamp of the issuing authority (as appropriate);

[7] Endorsement of annual, periodical and intermediate surveys required by Section I/3 of the Code, with the appropriate signature of the official, place, date and seal/stamp of the authority;

[8] Endorsement to extend the certificate if valid for less than 5 years where Regulation I/14(C) of the Convention, or 1.8.8 of the 2000mHSC Code applies;

[9] Endorsement where the renewal Survey has been completed and Regulation I/14(D) of the Convention, or 1.8.9 of the 2000 HSC Code applies;

[10] Endorsement to extend the validity of the certificate until reaching the port of survey, or for a period of grace where Regulation I/14(E) or I/14(F) of the Convention, or 1.8.10 of the HSC Code applies;

[11] Endorsement for Advancement of Anniversary Date where Regulation I/14(H) of the Convention, or 1.8.12 of the HSC Code applies.

Note: For endorsements [7]-[11] above, there must be the signature of the authorised official, place of the endorsement, date, and seal/stamp of the authority where appropriate.

Record of Equipment for the Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate

This is the second document found in the Appendix of the IP Code. It should be permanently attached to the aforementioned Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate. It is a record of equipment which is necessary for compliance with the International Code for Safety of Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel. The contents of this form are as follows:

[1] Particulars of the ship, eg name of the ship, distinctive numbers or letters, and the total number of persons on board for which the ship is certified;

[2] Details of life-saving equipment, for example:

(a) Total number of life-boats;

(b) Total number of persons accommodated by the lifeboats;

(d) Number of self-righting partially enclosed lifeboats;

(e) Number of totally enclosed lifeboats;

(f) Other lifeboats, including number and type;

(g) Number of lifeboats, including those fitted with searchlights;

(h) Number of rescue boats;

(i) liferafts, including those which require launching and those that do not;

(j) Marine evacuation systems;

(k) Lifebuoys;

(l) Lifejackets;

(m) Immersion suits;

(n) Thermal protective aids.

Thank you for reading IMSML Website Article 16/2023

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Website Article 17/2023: Resolution MSC.528(106) – Recommended Cooperation to Ensure the Safety of Life at Sea, The Rescue of Persons in Distress at Sea and The Safe Disembarkation of Survivors

Signing-off for today,

Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo, LL.B(Hons.)(Glamorgan); LL.M (Cardiff); Ph.D (Cardiff); CMILT

Professor of Maritime and Transport Law

Head of the Centre for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Monday, 11 September 2023

Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my