ANNUAL SURVEY, COC AND ITS IMPACT

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The purpose of annual survey is to visually examine and ascertain the general condition of the vessel or that relevant requirements are complied with. A more thorough annual survey may be specified for particular structure, machinery installation or equipment due to consequences of failure or age.
During an annual survey efficient condition of following is to be verified-

  1. Complete overall examination of structure, including void spaces and critical structure behind fire insulation as deemed necessary by surveyor.
  2. Hatchways on free board and superstructure deck.
  3. Weather decks
  4. Ventilation coamings and ventilation ducts.
  5. Air pipes
  6. Windows, dead lights and side scuttles
  7. Water tight doors
  8. Exposed casings and sky lights.
  9. Bilge level detection and alarm system
  10. Anchor and mooring arrangements
  11. Load line items like gangways, bulwark etc
  12. Main and auxiliary steering gears including their associated equipment and control equipment
  13. Machinery space  with particular attention to propulsion system and emergency escape.
  14. Means of communication between all critical places
  15. Bilge pumping system and bilge wells, including operation of extended spindles, self closing drain cocks and level alarms.
  16. Pressure vessels including safety devices, relieving gears, insulation and gauges
  17. Electrical equipment and cabling forming the main and emergency installations are to be generally examined. Satisfactory operation of main and emergency sources of power to be checked.
  18. Remote control on QCV.
Condition of Class (COC) or recommendation are both synonymous terms used by IACS societies for requirements that specific measures, repairs, request for survey etc. are to be carried out by the owner within a specified time period in order to retain class.

ITS IMPACT:
          If a COC is not dealt with within the time limit specifies,unless it is postponed before the due date by agreement with the society, class of the vessel may be subject to suspension. And when the class is suspended the society will notify the owner, flag administration and underwriters. They will publish the information on its website and convey the information to appropriate databases.
        Change in the class status of vessels can have serious consequences for insurance coverage. Vessel insurances automatically terminate when class is suspended( temporarily lost) or cancelled (permanently lost) during the insurance period.
       Being in class is essential for P & I coverage and P&I cover is essential to a vessel's ability to trade. Also conducting routine checks PSC may ask for class certificates. Following and incident like collision or coming into a port, PSC are very likely to check whether or not class has made any recommendation.
When buying ship the prospective purchaser will want to know about the vessel class and its class record history. Financiers of the vessel will also usually specify that a vessel must be classed as a part of continuing warranties contained in loan agreement. 
    

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