Gibraltar: Survey and certification

The Gibraltar Maritime Administration has issued the Shipping Information Notice (SIN) 096 regarding survey and certification –alternative means.

The document was published on 20 March 2023.

This SIN sets out the Gibraltar Maritime Administration’s requirements for survey and certification inclusive of the Administration’s policy towards the case-by-case acceptances of alternative survey means such as remote surveys associated with exceptional circumstances.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the administration put in place a pragmatic framework for the certification of Gibraltar-registered vessels to allow their continued operation.

As the national and international restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic have now largely been lifted, the survey, inspection, and audit of Gibraltar-registered ships remain subject to the mandatory statutory and classification survey and certification regime under the relevant conventions, codes, etc.

In all cases, the survey, inspection, and audit of Gibraltar registered vessels must be carried out by physical presence by the Administration or by the Administration's Recognized Organizations (RO) or Certifying Authorities (CA) in accordance with the applicable authorizations for statutory functions that may be carried out on behalf of the Administration.

Mandatory Surveys & Inspections via alternative means/remote surveys

The Gibraltar Maritime Administration recognizes that there may be exceptional
circumstances where the physical presence of surveyors from the Administration, RO, or CA may not be possible and where alternative means such as remote attendance/surveys may be considered.

The Gibraltar Maritime Administration will consider requests in relation to the above paragraph on a case-by-case basis in relation to the eligible survey items as detailed in the International Association of Class Societies (IACS) UR Z29, Table 1.

In cases where a deviation from the traditional survey procedures, such as via remote means, is to be considered, the review and technical consideration of these procedures shall be recorded and presented by the RO or CA and presented by the RO or CA to the Administration with a recommendation for their use as alternative measures.

Any request for consideration of alternative accommodations must include a detailed description of the applicable job function(s) and the circumstances that dictate that the job in question cannot be performed by physical presence.

Reviews and technical considerations regarding alternative means, such as remote surveys, should provide a level of assurance and effectiveness equivalent to a survey conducted physically by a surveyor.

When assessing the use of alternative means such as remote surveys, ROs and CAs shall take into account the requirements of IACS UR Z29, which shall also include the following:

Review of Class records;
Review of Port State Control performance;
Review of ISM vessel and company performance;
Reports of any incident, accidents, or casualties associated with the vessel;
Any other information relevant to the condition or operation of the vessel.

Requests to the Administration for alternative measures should not be pursued if the review of the ship and company performance gives rise to concerns.

Following the review by the Administration of an application for the use of alternative measures submitted by an RO or CA, the Administration will inform the RO or CA of the decision taken on the application.

International Safety Management (ISM) Code & International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code

Delegated shipboard verifications via remote means in respect of ISM & ISPS will not be considered.

Non-mandatory surveys/inspections

Non-mandatory surveys/inspections will be conducted at the discretion of the Administration. Operators are advised to contact the Administration regarding such surveys/inspections.

Ad-hoc mandatory surveys

Ad hoc mandatory surveys, such as those for load line exemptions for tows, repositioning voyages, etc. will be carried out at the discretion of the Administration as resource availability dictates. Operators are advised to contact the Administration regarding such surveys.