Oversight and compliance
- Oversee the electrical generation, distribution and safety, and the control and alarm systems.
- Ensure the statutory and class surveys, the certificates and the safety-equipment servicing are maintained.
- Comply with MARPOL, the ISM safety-management system and the vessel's procedures.
- Manage engine-room safety: the fixed firefighting, the escape routes, isolation and permits to work.
Keeping the vessel compliant is a planning task, not a reaction to a surveyor's visit. The Chief tracks the certificates and surveys in the maintenance and compliance calendar so nothing lapses, keeps the safety equipment serviced, and runs the machinery spaces within the ISM safety-management system. A lapsed certificate or an out-of-date servicing can detain the vessel and invalidate its insurance, so compliance is built into the running of the ship.
NOTE — Compliance is a planning task Keeping surveys, certificates and equipment servicing current is planned into the maintenance and compliance calendar, so a survey confirms known good condition rather than uncovering a lapse.
WARNING — A lapsed certificate can detain the vessel A statutory or class certificate allowed to expire, or servicing allowed to lapse, can lead to detention and can invalidate the insurance. The Chief tracks them so nothing lapses.