Hull & condition: what SIRE 2.0 inspectors ask and find
General condition is judged by eye: hull damage that's reported to class, coatings and corrosion, and photos that match what the inspector sees.
What the inspector wants to see
- Defect list covering hull damage, with class informed
- Recent photos that match the actual condition
- Coating and corrosion records
Questions inspectors ask about Hull & condition
Is the vessel free from structural defects?
Be ready to confirm this with class records, the ESP file and the defect reporting system.
Which deck condition defects are commonly flagged?
Painted hatch cover cleat washers, windlass brake spindle at its last thread, illegible BRC marks on drums, plastic-sheathed mast stays, unreadable draft/Plimsoll marks.
When must ballast tank repairs be added to the Coating Technical File?
After any repair or recoating of a ballast tank. A C/O unaware of this and missing repair records were flagged.
Which ships need a Coating Technical File under SOLAS II-1/3-2?
Contract on/after 1 July 2008, or keel laid on/after 1 Jan 2009 if no contract, or delivery on/after 1 July 2012. On crude tankers it covers ballast tanks, voids and cargo tanks.
What securing issues are often missed in monthly safety inspections?
Unsecured steel pipes, tank cleaning machines, reducers and washing machines (e.g. in the N2 room). Items must be secured and the findings recorded.
What is checked in the Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP) file?
Index, ship staff inspections, executive hull summary after dry dock, incident reports for structural damage. Kept for life from 1 year before first special survey.
There are 7 Hull & condition questions in NilObs, with spaced repetition so the ones you miss come back. Practise them free.
Real Hull & condition observations, and how to avoid them
The poop deck mooring area was poorly cleaned, with patches of funnel soot left on deck.
Avoid it: Include deck cleanliness in routine rounds and clear soot deposits promptly, especially in mooring areas.
The monthly safety inspection had missed mould covering about half of the forecastle store ceiling.
Avoid it: Look up as well as around during monthly inspections and report damp or mould for cleaning and ventilation.
Two explosion-proof light covers on the main deck were loose with threads exposed, and at least three more were painted over, spoiling the flame path.
Avoid it: Never paint flameproof fittings and check their covers are fully tightened during deck rounds.
Main deck safety inspections had not picked up the defective explosion-proof light enclosures.
Avoid it: Make flameproof fittings (covers, threads, paint) a specific item in deck safety inspections.
Earth cables to the bridge wing searchlights were broken; repaired once pointed out.
Avoid it: Check earthing and cabling of deck electrical equipment during routine inspections.
The inspection records section of the Permanent Means of Access Manual (SOLAS II-1/3-6) was blank; tank inspection reports also left out access items.
Avoid it: Record the condition of ladders, platforms and steps in the PMA Manual after each tank inspection.
Deck service pipes for water, ballast and tank cleaning were rusted and badly corroded at clamps and supports; two ballast gauge glasses in the pump room were broken.
Avoid it: Prioritise corrosion at pipe clamps and supports and replace broken gauge glasses.
In the ballast pump room, the cable protection at the BWTS UV reactor joint was loose and taped, with cables visible inside.
Avoid it: Repair damaged cable glands and conduits properly; tape is not an acceptable fix.
Who answers for Hull & condition
Technical Superintendent, Vetting Manager / Superintendent, Fleet Manager, Other role. NilObs picks the questions and the daily drill for your role.
Rehearse Hull & condition before your next inspection.
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