Ref. T1/10 MSC/Circ.956
23 June 2000
1 InresponsetotherequestinresolutionA.794(19)-Surveysandinspectionsofro-ropassenger ships,thatguidelinesforunscheduledinspectionsofro-ropassengershipsshouldbeprepared,theMaritime SafetyCommittee,atitsseventy-secondsession(17to26May2000),approvedtheannexedguidelines.
2 MemberGovernmentsareinvitedtotaketheGuidelinesintoaccountwhencarryingout unscheduled inspections of ro-ro passenger ships.
ANNEX
GUIDELINES FOR UNSCHEDULED INSPECTIONS OF RO-RO PASSENGER SHIPS BY FLAG STATES
1 Theseguidelinesareintendedtoassistsurveyorsconductingunscheduledinspectionsofro-ro passengershipsonbehalfoftheflagState. Suchinspectionsareinadditiontosurveysandauditsrequired
by the relevant international conventions.
2 Inordertoensurecompliancewithstatutoryrequirements,unscheduledinspectionsshouldfocus
onaspectsofoperationalnature,includingcrewcapabilities,whichshouldbedemonstratedbycarryingout oneormoreemergency/safety/operationalprocedures,atwhichtimecriticalitemsoftheship'shull, machinery, electrical and control installations might also be inspected, if need be.
3 Bytheirnature,theseaspectsarebestassessedwhentheshipisinservice,assomeitemscanonly
beproperlytestedwhiletheshipisatseaonpassage. However,inspectionsshouldnotundulyinterfere withnormalshipboardoperationsnorshouldtheyinducesituationsthatcouldendangerthesafetyof passengers,thecrew,theshiportheenvironment. Consequentlyitisnotintendedthatthesurveyor inspects
all the items listed in the Guidelines in the course of any one inspection.
4 Operational aspects for possible inspection should include, but are not limited to:
.1 Hand over procedures between crews
.2 Emergency procedures and the crew's ability to comply with these procedures
.3 Condition of maintenance of essential equipment
.4 Safe working practices
.5 Security
.6 Passenger safety
.7 Bridge procedures
.8 Cargo operations.