Statutory And Class Surveys And Certification Procedure

RWISR
MARINE CIRCULAR

Circular No: RWISR-MC-03-2025
Subject: Statutory and Class Surveys and Certification
Date: 30 / July / 2025
Applicable to: Shipowners, Operators, Masters, Recognized Organizations (ROs)

  1. PURPOSE

This Marine Circular provides guidance on the requirements, planning, execution, and control of statutory and class surveys and certification for vessels registered under the RWISR.

The objective is to ensure continuous compliance with applicable international conventions, classification rules, and RWISR requirements, without interruption to certification validity.

  1. APPLICATION

This Circular applies to all vessels registered or intended to be registered under RWISR and covers:

  • Statutory surveys and certification conducted on behalf of RWISR
  • Classification surveys conducted by the vessel’s class society
  • Survey planning and monitoring within defined survey windows
  • Issuance, endorsement, and control of statutory certificates
  • Management of certificate validity, extensions, suspension, and withdrawal
  1. RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATIONS (ROs)

Statutory surveys and certification shall be carried out only by Recognized Organizations duly authorized by RWISR and within the scope of their delegated authority.

ROs are responsible for:

  • Conducting surveys, inspections, and audits
  • Verifying compliance with applicable conventions
  • Issuing and endorsing statutory certificates on behalf of RWISR
  1. SURVEY PLANNING AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Shipowner / Company shall ensure that:

  • All required surveys are planned and completed within the prescribed timeframes
  • The vessel remains in continuous compliance with statutory and class requirements
  • Survey status is monitored through an effective tracking system

The Master shall ensure that:

  • All valid certificates are retained onboard and available for inspection
  • Any condition affecting certification is reported without delay
  1. SURVEY TYPES AND WINDOWS

5.1 Initial Surveys
Required prior to issuance of certificates for:

  • New registration
  • Change of flag
  • Change of class

No operational window applies.

5.2 Annual Surveys
Must be completed within:

  • 3 months before to 3 months after the anniversary date

Failure to comply may result in suspension of the certificate.

5.3 Intermediate Surveys
Carried out:

  • Between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary dates, or
  • Within the relevant annual survey window

5.4 Renewal Surveys
To be completed:

  • Within 3 months before expiry
  • Up to the expiry date

5.5 Class Surveys
To be conducted in accordance with the rules of the vessel’s classification society, including:

  • Annual surveys
  • Intermediate surveys
  • Special (renewal) surveys
  • Continuous survey schemes (if applicable)

5.6 Additional Surveys
May be required following:

  • Damage or repairs
  • Alterations
  • Marine incidents
  • Requests by RWISR or RO
  1. CERTIFICATION

Statutory certificates shall be issued by the authorized RO on behalf of RWISR only upon satisfactory completion of required surveys.

Certificates shall clearly indicate:

  • Issuing authority
  • Validity period
  • Any endorsements or limitations
  1. ENDORSEMENTS

Certificates shall be endorsed following successful completion of:

  • Annual surveys
  • Intermediate surveys
  • Other required inspections
  1. CERTIFICATE VALIDITY

Unless otherwise restricted:

  • Certificates shall not exceed 5 years validity
  • Validity is conditional upon:
    • Completion of required surveys
    • Continuous compliance
    • Maintenance of valid class
  1. EXTENSIONS

Extensions:

  • Shall only be granted in exceptional cases
  • Must comply with applicable conventions
  • May require RWISR approval
  • Shall not normally exceed 3 months
  1. SUSPENSION AND WITHDRAWAL

Certificates may be suspended or withdrawn if:

  • Surveys are not completed within required windows
  • Vessel fails to comply with requirements
  • Class is suspended or withdrawn
  • Serious deficiencies remain outstanding

RO shall notify RWISR without delay.

  1. MONITORING AND REPORTING

RWISR may require:

  • Survey status updates
  • Certification records
  • Deficiency reports

ROs shall maintain an up-to-date tracking system.

  1. RECORDS

The following records shall be maintained:

  • Survey schedules and tracking
  • Survey and audit reports
  • Certificates and endorsements
  • Deficiency and corrective action records
  • Relevant correspondence
  1. ENTRY INTO FORCE

This Circular enters into force on:
30 / July / 2025