Flag State Inspections

NETWORK OF INSPECTORS OF CYPRUS SHIPS

Aim of the Network of Inspectors of Cyprus Ships
Introduction
Cyprus, a country with a very old maritime tradition, evidence of which spans for more than three and a half thousand years, continues to hold a prominent position among the shipping nations. With a fleet of an international character, which nowadays ranks among the largest in the world, in terms of gross tonnage and which operates in many trading routes throughout the world, Cyprus attaches particular importance to the compliance of its fleet with the applicable international and national requirements.

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus has implemented since 1996 a global network of inspectors of Cyprus ships. The aim of the programme is the verification and enforcement of compliance of Cyprus ships with the applicable provisions of the national and international maritime legislation relating to safety, pollution prevention and living and working conditions on board Cyprus flag ships.

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus has established the said programme which basically consisted of control of certificates and documents in combination with a systematic but at the same time ΄at random΄ check of the condition of the vessel.

The programme is not to be seen as a full scale survey required for the issue of certificates, required by the various international maritime conventions, as this remains an activity delegated to a number of Classification Societies and for which these Societies are considered accountable.

At the time of the introduction of the programme, it has been considered that its objectives will be better served by the adoption of a ΄regulated΄ unscheduled scheme of examinations.

The intention was not the introduction of a mandatory scheme which envisages examinations on a regular basis between predetermined time intervals.
It should be noted that any notices or reports issued under this programme are for the sole reason and purpose of informing the vessel’s Master and its Owners, as well as, the Shipping Deputy Ministry that an examination under the present programme has taken place. These cannot be construed as a seaworthiness certificate in excess of the certificates the vessel is required to carry.

Purpose of the Programme
The purpose of the programme is to ensure that the Cyprus ships, to which this programme applies, their crew and equipment comply with the applicable provisions of the Cyprus Law. In addition, the programme has been also designed to provide feedback information which may be used:
(1) in evaluating the work carried out by the classification societies recognized and authorized to act on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on the survey and certification of Cyprus ships in accordance with the provisions of the International maritime conventions to which Cyprus is a contracting party;
(2) to identify areas which may warrant special attention and regulation.

The programme encompasses a control activity of appropriate aspects of the vessels certification and documentation together with a general examination.
Determining compliance with all applicable aspects of the Cyprus Law is at the discretion of the Inspector, giving due regard to the type of the vessel being inspected, the nature of the cargoes carried and the state of ship found during the various stages of the inspection.

Type and Frequency of Examinations
General
The present programme includes the following methods and forms of verification of compliance:
(1) Initial Inspection;
(2) Occasional or Extraordinary Verifications or Inspections.

The thoroughness and stringency of any inspection depends on the condition of the ship and its equipment, as well as, the results of the examination of the vessel’s documents, the records of the vessel’s classification society available on board at the time of the inspection, or any additional instructions from the Shipping Deputy Ministry.

Should any doubt arise, as to the maintenance or the condition of the ship or its equipment, then further examinations and testing may be required as considered necessary by the Inspector.

The Inspector may take into account the examination of components made within the last six months, from the date of consideration of the vessel’s case, by surveyor(s) of the vessel’s classification society or of duly authorised port State control officers.

Initial Inspection
The initial inspection includes verification that the vessel under examination and those serving on board carry valid certificates or documents or dispensations, as required by the applicable provisions of Cyprus Law; that all manuals, instructions, records, log books and publications required by the Cyprus Law are available onboard and up to date and a general examination of the vessel and its equipment including relevant tests and operational controls.

Occasional or Extraordinary Examinations
The time and extent of Occasional or Extraordinary Document Verifications or Inspections will be determined by the Shipping Deputy Ministry.
These should be carried out by the Inspector only upon receipt of specific written authorization and instructions from the Shipping Deputy Ministry.

Frequency of Examinations
Notwithstanding any specific instructions or the existence of clear grounds to the contrary, the time intervals between successive examinations should be for:
Initial Inspection not less than eleven (11) months between successive inspections;
Any vessel which, after the date of introduction of the present programme, satisfactorily completes an inspection by a Marine Surveyor of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, will be deemed to have completed an initial inspection under the present programme.

Minimum Qualifications of Inspectors of Cyprus Ships
The candidates must possess strong technical expertise and competency in administration. They must have sound knowledge of relevant international maritime laws and regulations and an exemplary background in industry or government service.

In particular, the applicants should:
(1) be holders of the highest seagoing certificate of competency in the deck or engine departments or hold an academic qualification from a known university in Naval Architecture, Marine or Mechanical Engineering or other equivalent academic qualification acceptable to the Government of the Republic of Cyprus;
(2) have, in addition, professional experience or documented sea service as follows:
(a) candidates which hold Master’s certificate of competency should have at least an aggregated three (3) years of sea service after they have obtained the aforesaid certificate, on foreign sea-going vessels whose gross tonnage is not less than 5000, at least one (1) year of which has been in a command position or at least two (2) years of which have in the position of the Chief Officer;
(b) candidates which hold Chief Engineer’s certificate of competency should have at least an aggregated three (3) years of sea service after they have obtained the aforesaid certificate, on foreign sea-going vessels whose aggregated main propulsion power is not less than 3000 KW, at least one (1) year of which has been in the position of the Chief Engineer Officer or at least two (2) years of which have in the position of the Second Engineer Officer;
(c) candidates who hold an academic qualification in Naval Architecture, Marine or Mechanical Engineering or other equivalent academic qualification, which has been deemed acceptable, should have at least seven (7) years of experience following a suitable training, three (3) years of which must have been in a position of responsibility in an establishment concerned with ship design, ship building, ship repair, ship operation or in an appropriate research establishment.
(3) have relevant previous experience in the implementation of international conventions relating to the safety of life at sea, the protection of the marine environment, the living and working conditions on board ships;
(4) be fluent in the English language, knowledge of other languages, aside the native language of the candidate, and in particular of the Greek language will be considered as an advantage;
(5) be, at the time of application, not more than 60 years of age.

Further information, as well as details of the period and terms of employment, may be obtained from the Shipping Deputy Ministry.

Applications may also be made by companies. In such a case, the applicant must provide information for each of their employees whom are proposing for appointment, together with details of their activities and a list of their main clients. In addition, companies in their application must also specify the professional bodies or associations with which are affiliated.

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus treats all applications and the information supplied with strict confidence.

List of Independent Inspectors
For the List of Independent Inspectors please refer to the Contact details of independent inspectors appointed by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.


SDM INSPECTIONS

Type of SDM Inspections
Introduction
The Flag State Inspections are carried out by the Marine Surveyor of the Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) located at the SDM Head offices or at the Overseas Offices.
The Flag State Inspections are divided into:
(1) Entry inspection.
(2) Occasional Inspection.

Entry Inspection
By virtue of the Government Policy on the Registration of vessels in the Cyprus Register of Ships, cargo vessels exceeding 15 years of age and passenger vessels exceeding 20 years of age may be registered provided that they undergo an entry inspection which is completed with satisfactory results. The entry inspection of a ship should be carried out by SDM surveyor(s) should be carried out within six (6) months from the date of provisional or parallel-in registration or direct permanent registration.

Occasional Inspection
An Occasional Inspection is an extraordinary inspection carried out on Cyprus ships. An Occasional Inspection might be carried out taking into account one or more of the following parameters:

• Safety record of a ship;
• Number of a ship’s detentions by foreign port State control Authorities;
• Number, nature and seriousness of the deficiencies found during a Port State Control inspection;
• Provisions of the SDM circular no. 26/2016.
• Occasional inspection may also be required due to an accident or by allegations or claims set by the crew or any other governmental or intergovernmental body, such as ITF, etc.