If you are a ship owner or operator, you may be wondering how to prepare for an International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) survey on your ship. An IOPP survey is a mandatory inspection that verifies your ship’s compliance with the requirements of MARPOL Annex I, which aims to prevent oil pollution from ships.
IOPP survey- What is it and how it is done?
An IOPP survey is conducted by an authorized surveyor from your flag state administration or a recognized organization on behalf of your flag state. The survey covers various aspects of your ship’s construction, equipment and operation that relate to oil pollution prevention, such as:
– The design and arrangement of cargo tanks, fuel tanks, piping systems and pumping systems
– The installation and operation of oily water separating equipment, oil filtering equipment, oil discharge monitoring and control systems, oil content meters and alarms
– The availability and condition of oil record books, manuals, plans and certificates
– The implementation of procedures for handling oily residues and bilge water
– The training and competence of crew members in oil pollution prevention
An IOPP survey can be either an initial survey, an annual survey, an intermediate survey or a renewal survey. An initial survey is carried out before the ship is put into service or before the IOPP certificate is issued for the first time. An annual survey is carried out within three months before or after each anniversary date of the certificate. An intermediate survey is carried out between the second and third anniversary dates of the certificate. A renewal survey is carried out before the expiry date of the certificate.
To prepare for an IOPP survey on your ship, you should follow these steps:
1) Check the validity and status of your current IOPP certificate and make sure you have all the required documents on board, such as manuals, plans, records and certificates.
2) Review your ship’s maintenance records and ensure that all oily water separating equipment, oil filtering equipment, oil discharge monitoring and control systems, oil content meters and alarms are in good working order and have been tested regularly.
3) Inspect your ship’s cargo tanks, fuel tanks, piping systems and pumping systems for any leaks or damages that could cause oil pollution. Repair any defects or malfunctions as soon as possible.
4) Verify that your ship has adequate facilities for storing oily residues and bilge water in designated tanks or containers. Ensure that these facilities are properly marked and labeled according to MARPOL Annex I regulations.
5) Train your crew members on how to operate oily water separating equipment, oil filtering equipment, oil discharge monitoring and control systems, oil content meters and alarms correctly. Make sure they are familiar with the procedures for handling oily residues and bilge water safely and legally.
6) Contact your flag state administration or recognized organization to arrange a date and time for the IOPP survey. Provide them with any relevant information about your ship’s particulars, location and itinerary.
7) Cooperate with the surveyor during the inspection process. Provide them with access to all areas of your ship that are subject to examination. Demonstrate how you operate oily water separating equipment, oil filtering equipment, oil discharge monitoring and control systems, oil content meters and alarms.
Show them your documents, records and certificates. Answer their questions honestly and politely.
By following these steps, you can prepare for an IOPP survey on your ship effectively and efficiently. An IOPP survey can help you improve your ship’s performance, safety and environmental protection. It can also help you avoid penalties, detentions or prosecutions for non-compliance with MARPOL Annex I regulations.
