Revision 1.4 - January 2002
Are you aware of what
SAMSA and the various
Regulations require of you?
The various Acts and regulations place the onus on the owner and in some cases the master as
well, to ENSURE that the vessel and the crew comply with the requirements of the regulations at
all times.
The SAMSA surveyors do NOT replace the owners and crew in matters of safety and their main
function is to ensure that the owner, master and crew are in fact making reasonable efforts to
apply regulations and maintain safety standards.
To assist vessel owner/owners representative to manage safety aboard and to demonstrate that
management is playing its part, the following checklist has been compiled for your assistance
and guidance. (Please note that it is not a complete list but covers the main issues.)
THE SURVEYOR WILL REQUEST A COMPLETED FORM FROM THE
OWNER/OWNERS REPRESENTATIVE BEFORE, OR AT THE VERY LATEST, AT
THE SURVEY!
Failure to do so is understood to mean that management has not applied themselves to
safety management unless they are able to produce a similar initiative on their part, and
the surveyor has been instructed to terminate the audit/survey.
Owner/Owners Representative Declaration:
I, owner/ responsible person of the vessel ............................................ have read and
completed this checklist in preparation for the vessels Local General Safety Survey.
Signature
Date
PASSENGER VESSELS - CLASS VI
A passenger ship which operates at a port or is engaged on voyages to sea in fine weather with
not more than 250 persons on board, in the course of which voyages the ship is at no time more
than 15 miles from the point of departure nor more than 5 miles from land.
LOCAL GENERAL SAFETY
SURVEY
IMPORTANT NOTICE - SAFE ACCESS
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OWNERS/ OPERATORS ARE ADVISED THAT SAMSA REGARDS THE NON-PROVISION OF SAFE
ACCESS TO VESSELS IN A SERIOUS LIGHT. THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR ALL PERSONS REQUIRING
ACCESS TO VESSELS (NOT JUST SURVEYORS).SAMSA SURVEYORS WILL ISSUE A “PROHIBITION
ORDER”, REQUIRING THAT ALL WORK ON BOARD BE HALTED UNTIL ACCESS IS PROVIDED TO
THE SATISFACTION OF THE SURVEYOR, IF THE NON-PROVISION OF A SAFE ACCESS IS NOTED AT
ANY TIME.
1. DOCUMENTATION
CHECK
ITEM
CERTIFICATE OF
REGISTRY
NOTES
Check that the information on the certificate is correct (Not applicable
to vessels under 25 GT).
(MSA Sect 13 & 15)
PREVIOUS LGSC &
MANNING CERT’s
(MSA Sect 73 & 194)
LOADLINE
CERTIFICATE
The surveyor may want to sight the certificates of competency, so have
them aboard. The vessel’s current LGSC (original copy) must be
prominently displayed on board.
(MSA Sect 204 & 207)
This is required for all vessels of over 14 metres registered length. A
Load Line Exemption Certificate may be issued in lieu of a Load Line
Certificate.
I.O.P.P CERTIFICATE
AND ASSOCIATED
DOCUMENTATION
Vessels of over 400 Gross Register Tons (GT) require an International
Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate, an Oil Record Book and SAMSA
approved Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (S.O.P.E.P).
(MARPOL Annex 1, Reg 4, 20
& 26)
HULL CERTIFICATE
A valid “DRY DOCKING CERTIFICATE” must be on board.
(Const Reg 193)
RADIO CERTIFICATE
(MSA Reg 190)
STABILITY BOOK
(MSA Sect 226 &
S of N Reg 7)
COMPASS DEVIATION
CARD/BOOK
(MSA Sect 228 & S of N Reg
13 & 14)
NAUTICAL
PUBLICATIONS
(S of N Reg 15)
LIFE RAFTS
(LSA Reg 25)
RESCUE BOAT
(LSA Reg 31A, Annex 24)
FIRE FIGHTING
APPLIANCES
(LSA Reg 118)
These are carried out by I.C.A.S.A. on behalf of SAMSA.
Note that the Local General Safety Certificate may not be issued until
I.C.A.S.A has reported that the condition of the installed radio
equipment is satisfactory.
A SAMSA approved stability book must be on board. (Any special
operating instructions must be posted in the wheelhouse and in the
engine room, if appropriate).
The validity of a deviation card is one year. A compass deviation book
may be maintained in lieu of having the compass swung annually by a
qualified compass adjuster.
The charts are to be corrected and up to date for the area of operation.
Valid tide tables and a “List of Lights and Radio signals” for the area of
operation must be on board.
The annual inspection/service certificate needs to be on board and may
be sighted by the surveyor.
The annual inspection/safety certificate needs to be on board and may
be sighted by the surveyor. The surveyor may require that the launching
and recovery of the rescue boat be demonstrated.
The annual inspection/service certificate needs to be on board and may
be sighted by the surveyor. Servicing of appliances must be carried out
by a SAMSA approved “DOTFAS” station.
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GAS CERTIFICATE
(Const Reg 159)
MEDICAL &
MEDICAL LOCKER
(MSA Sect 101, 167 & 168)
AIR RECEIVER(S)
(Const Reg 179)
ELECTRICAL
(Const Reg 180)
SHIP MANEUVERING
DATA
(M-Notice 18 of 1991)
ARTICLES OF
AGREEMENT
If a gas stove is fitted, an annual service certificate must be on board
and may be sighted by the surveyor.
The surveyor may want to sight each crew members medical certificate.
A current certificate of inspection (validity = 1 year) from a Doctor or
Pharmacist to be on board as well as the Ship Captains Medical Book
If the Main Engines are air started, air receiver pressure test and relief
valve service records must be held. Air receivers must be hydraulically
pressure tested (1.5 x WP) and safety valves must be overhauled every 4
years. The surveyor may require that relief valve(s) operation be proven
at the survey (1.1 x WP).
Certification of any electrical testing carried out must be on board.
An insulation test is to be carried out every 4 years. The resistance
between all insulated circuits and earth may not be less than 100 000
ohms.
For vessels over 100 GT. Information on the vessel speed at Slow, Half
and Full ahead and time elapsed and distance traveled to stop in the
water when going from full ahead to full astern (“crash-stop”).
Required on vessels of over 100 GT To be correctly filled in.
(MSA Sect 102)
OFFICIAL LOG BOOK
(MSA Sect 182)
OCCUPATIONAL
SAFETY
(MOS Reg 3, 10)
Required on vessels over 100 GT. Must have been correctly filled in
with regard to occurrences on board (See sect 133 & 183 of the MSA).
- A copy of the Maritime Occupational Safety Regulations, 1994 must
be on board.
- One of the ships officers must be appointed (in writing!) as the
safety officer.
- A file or log book must be maintained containing recordings of
safety meetings, checks of safety equipment and repairs or servicing
of safety equipment.
- A copy of the publication “Safe Working Practices for Merchant
Seamen published by Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (UK) must be
on board.
2. DISTRESS SIGNALS
CHECK
ITEM
FLARES
(LSA Reg 46)
NOTES
- 12 x Parachute distress flares.
- 6 x Daylight smoke flares (4 minute type).
- All flares are to be stored in a clearly labeled watertight container.
- If the vessel is restricted to port operations then only 6 x hand-held
flares and 2 x Daylight smoke flares are required.
FLAGS
-
N&C (I am in distress and require immediate assistance).
LIFE SAVING SIGNALS
CARD
-
To be kept in waterproof container with the distress signals.
-
If >100 GT (both ship and portable battery power source
required).
(LSA Reg 46)
SIGNALING LAMP
(MSA Sect 229, S of N Reg 17)
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3. NAVIGATION
CHECK
ITEM
NAVIGATION
LIGHTS
(Coll Regs Rule 23, 25, 27
& 30)
SOUND
(Coll Regs Rule 33)
SHAPES
(Coll Regs Rule 25, 27 &
30)
DIRECTION
(S of N Reg 13 & 14)
NOTES
- Power driven vessels
< 12m - All round white and side lights.
> 12m - Masthead light forward (2nd masthead light aft if > 50m),
sidelights, stern light, “Not-Under-Command” lights (R-R)
and an anchor light. Vessels >50m require a 2nd masthead
light.
- Sailing vessels
Sidelights and stern-light (if < 20m these can be combined at or near
the top of the mast where they can clearly be seen).
2 all-round lights may be fitted at or near the top of the mast
(Top-Red, bottom-Green) but not in conjunction with a combined
light.
- “Not-Under-Command” lights (R-R) and anchor light(s).
- NUC and anchor oil lamps are to be provided unless the vessel has
two sources of power available (Battery + Generator set).
- < 12m - An efficient means of making a sound signal is required.
- > 12m - An efficient whistle and bell and is required. Vessels over
100m also require a “gong”.
- 3 x black spheres able to be rigged to show vessel “Not Under
Command”, “At anchor” or “Aground”.
- 1 x conical shape (sailing vessels only indicating under sail and
power).
- 1 x magnetic steering compass.
- A compass deviation book should be maintained by the master. If this
book is not maintained to the satisfaction of the surveyor or if the
compass deviation is regarded as excessive, the compass must be
swung by a qualified compass adjuster.
DEPTH
- SAMSA recommends that an echo sounder be fitted.
3. LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT
CHECK
ITEM
LIFE RAFTS
(LSA Reg 11 & Guidance
2000/1)
NOTES
- Sufficient SAMSA-approved life-rafts to accommodate all persons on
board ie 100%.
- Life rafts must be of the “fully-enclosed” type ie. Not the “openreversible” type. SAMSA will only consider allowing the use of
open-reversible life rafts for specific restricted operations. Prior
written consent from SAMSA must therefore be obtained.
- SAMSA recommends that liferafts are fitted with hydrostatic
49
RESCUE BOAT
(LSA Reg 11, 31A &
Annex 24)
LIFE JACKETS
(LSA Reg 11)
LINE THROWING
APPLIANCE
release mechanisms.
Life rafts must be stowed in accessible position(s), in the correct
manner, so that they can be easily transferred to the water.
- Required on all vessels > 20 m in length.
- To be stowed in a cradle and be able to be launched and recovered on
one side of the vessel with a full complement of persons and
equipment.
- To be SAMSA approved and carry required safety equipment.
- To be maintained in a state of readiness for immediate use.
- Sufficient life jackets for all passengers and crew are required
(Adults - > 32 kg, Children - < 32 kg.
- Life jackets must be SOLAS type; SABS and SAMSA approved,
fitted with a SAMSA approved light. (Vessels operating within the
confines of a harbor may use WORKING type life-jackets which
must be fit with approved lights if the vessel operates at night).
- To be fitted with a plastic whistle and reflective tape
- The vessel’s name/number is to be marked on the lifejackets.
- The life jackets are to be stored in a dry, accessible place.
- A safety exemption from this requirement may be issued for vessels
less than 100GT.
(LSA Reg 11)
LIFE BUOYS
(LSA Reg 11 & 29)
- Vessels < 21.3m
= Minimum of 3 life buoys
Vessels > 21.3m but < 45.7m = Minimum of 4 life buoys
Vessels > 45m
= Minimum of 8 life buoys
- Half the number of life buoys are to be fitted with self-igniting lights
(minimum of 2)
- One life-buoy must be fitted with a 15 minute M.O.B. smoke marker
(An exemption may be issued if an approved Dan-buoy is carried).
- At least 1 life-buoy per side of the vessel is to be fitted with a 27m
line.
5. FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
CHECK
ITEM
NOTES
ON DECK /
ACCOMMODATION
- Sufficient hydrants in number so that a single jet of water can reach
any part of the vessel using only one length of hose.
- A fire hose and spray/jet nozzle must be provided at each hydrant.
- The maximum allowable hose length is 18.3 m.
- A minimum of 2 suitable portable fire extinguishers must be provided
per passenger/crew space.
(LSA Reg 66 & 67)
IN GALLEY
(LSA Reg 67)
IN ENGINE ROOM
(LSA Reg 69)
(Const Reg 68, 69, 103 &
- SAMSA strongly recommends that a fire blanket be provided.
- A CO2/Dry Powder portable extinguisher must be located at or near
the entrance.
- A minimum of 1 fire hydrant with hose and spray jet nozzle must be
provided which can access the entire engine room (If the engine room
59
Instructions to Personnel
No.15)
is a manned engine room).
- A fixed fire smothering (CO2 or other gas) system is required.
- 1 x foam portable fire extinguisher per 375 kW installed power is
required subject to a minimum of 2 and maximum of 6 extinguishers.
- 1 x power driven fire pump is required.
- Engine rooms are required to be “Class A” fire proofed which is
essentially only achievable if the engine room is of steel construction.
GRP and wooden vessels are therefore subject to the following
additional requirements:
- Bulkheads and deck-heads of engine rooms or compartments are to be
lined with a non-combustible material or painted with a fire retardant
paint. Self extinguishing laminates may also be used in the
construction of the vessel. The insulating method must be submitted
to
SAMSA for prior approval.
- Smoke/heat detectors must be fitted in each compartment.
Note: Engine room configurations differ. SAMSA may therefore
exempt vessels from certain safety requirements or require that
additional safety equipment be fitted based on the vessels outfit.
EMERGENCY FIRE
PUMP (LSA Reg 70)
- 1 x power or manually driven emergency fire pump is required
which is to be located outside the engine room.
6. ENGINE ROOM REQUIREMENTS
CHECK
ITEM
MAIN ENGINE
(Const Regs 73 & 78)
BILGE PUMPING
ARRANGEMENTS
(Const Reg 28, 31, 32, 33,
34, 35 & 36)
NOTES
The Main Engine must be able to be brought into operation when initially
no power is available to the ship.
- If electric start; a minimum of 1 x charging unit other than the M/E is
required. It is also acceptable if the vessel has twin engines both fitted
with charging units, both being capable of charging both sets of
batteries.
- If air start; a minimum of 1 x air receiver and 1 x compressor is
required. Drains must be fitted for the drainage of condensate.
- Required Pumps
Boat Length
Minimum number of pumps
< 15.2m
1 x Main Engine driven pump.
15.2 - 21.3m
1 x Main Engine driven pump plus 1 x hand pump
per watertight compartment.
21.3 - 76.2m
1x Main Engine driven pump, 1 x independent
power pump and 1 x hand pump per watertight
compartment.
Hand operated pumps must be operable from above the main deck.
The Main Engine driven pump may be replaced by an independent
power pump.
The hand pump(s) may be replaced by an independent pump.
Bilge arrangements are to be provided for the draining of all
watertight compartments.
- Pipe configurations
Non-return or L-cocks are to be fitted in the bilge suction lines to
prevent flooding from the sea into the vessel. Non-return valves or
pipe configurations must also ensure that it is not possible for water to
flood from one watertight compartment to another.
- Bilge alarm
SAMSA strongly recommends that Audible bilge alarms for
machinery spaces, which are not continuously manned, be provided
69
in the wheelhouse and engine room.
FUEL TANKS
(Const Reg 38, 81, 83)
(LSA Reg 115)
STEERING GEAR
(Const Reg 85)
EMERGENCY
ESCAPE
-
Means must be provided to ascertain the tank level and prevent overpressurization.
- Sounding pipes, for tanks forming part of the hull structure, in the
e/r (And other spaces below the main deck) must have self-closing
cocks.
- Vent pipes are to be fitted with anti-flashback gauze. max = 0.5 mm
of non-corrosive material.
- Shut-off cocks are to be provided at all tank outlets which can be
closed locally and from a remote position (not required if suction
line is not gravity fed).
- Ventilation of fuel spaces is to be adequate.
- An efficient steering and emergency steering arrangement, which can
be rapidly brought into action, is required. By-pass arrangements are
to be fitted on hydraulic steering systems to prevent hydraulic locks
when the emergency steering arrangement is brought into operation.
- Adequate communication between the wheelhouse and steering flat
must be provided.
- A clearly marked, unobstructed engine room emergency escape is
required if the engine room is a manned engine room.
(Const Reg 90)
EXHAUST LAGGING
(Const Reg 79)
ROTATING PARTS
(Const Reg 155)
(MOS Reg 18)
VENTILATION
(LSA Reg 115)
PUMP SHUT-OFFS
(LSA Reg 115)
- Exhaust pipes and silencers of internal combustion engines are to be
efficiently cooled, lagged or installed in such a manner that they do
not create a fire hazard (Lagging, if used, must be impervious to oil
or coated so that it is impervious to oil).
- Protective guards are to be provided for all rotating shafts and drive
belts which could result in the injury to crew under normal operating
conditions.
- A minimum of 2 ventilators must be provided for manned engine
rooms.
- Efficient closing arrangements (flaps or plugs) must be provided for
ventilators.
- Remote (Outside engine room) stopping arrangements must be
provided for any inlet/exhaust fans fitted.
- Remote (Outside engine room) stopping arrangements must be
provided for all fuel transfer pumps and purifiers, if fitted
7. ANCHORS
CHECK
ITEM
NOTES
ANCHORS
- Vessel’s are to be fitted with an anchor with chain which can
rapidly be deployed. In general a spare anchor must also be carried
unless a SAMSA surveyor is satisfied that, due to the size and
intended service of the vessel, such spare anchor is not required.
(An exemption can be applied for)
- A windlass is required if the anchor weight is > 70 kg.
- The surveyor may require that windlass operation be demonstrated.
(Const Reg 88 & 168)
79
8. VENTILATION
CHECK
ITEM
VENTILATION
(Const Reg 165)
NOTES
- Adequate ventilation is to be provided to all spaces.
- Sleeping spaces must be provided with inlet and exhaust
ventilators.
- Air inlets and exhausts must be close-able from an external
position.
9. ACCOMMODATION AND GALLEY
CHECK
ITEM
NOTES
EMERGENCY
ESCAPES (Const Reg 90)
- If more than 10 people are accommodated in a space, at least
one emergency escape must be provided.
TOILETS
- The vessel should be provided with enough toilets for the mode
of operation. At least one toilet is required.
ADJOINING E/R
- Accommodation adjoining machinery spaces is to be fitted to
prevent fumes from entering the compartment.
(Const Reg 103)
GARBAGE
(MARPOL Annex V)
GALLEY STOVES
(Const Reg 45, 82 & 159)
- Facilities must be provided for the retention of all plastics on
board.
- Fuel/power sources must be located outside the galley.
- Remote isolating valves/switches must be fitted to isolate the
fuel/power source.
- If a gas stove is fitted; means must be provided to shut off the
gas supply in the event of the flame being extinguished under
any circumstances.
10. PROTECTION ON DECK
BULWARKS AND
RAILINGS
(Const Reg 91)
- Bulwarks or railings must be provided on all exposed decks to
which persons have access.
- The construction of bulwarks or railings must be such to prevent
persons from falling over or through openings.
- Particular attention must be paid to ensuring that persons are
not able to sit on the bow with their legs dangling over the side.
11. ELECTRICAL
EMERGENCY
POWER
(Const Reg 40)
GENERAL
(Const Reg 45)
Emergency power must be provided to ensure that services essential for
the safety of the ship and persons on board can be maintained in an
emergency (eg. Lighting, navigation lights, bilge and fire pumps).
- Electrical cabling must be of the flame retardant type.
- Electrical cabling must be adequately supported and protected.
- Light fittings must be located in such a way that they present no
89
fire risk. All lights must be covered.
12.
PASSENGERS
Passenger Operation
The whole operation should be professional and safe. As SAMSA
perforce has put it’s name behind these passenger operations, a high
standard will be required to be upheld.
Marking Number of
Passengers
The maximum number of passengers any passenger vessel may carry
should be clearly and conspicuously marked in cases where the
Certification is not clearly displayed for the passengers to read.
13. EXTENSIONS
MSA
Sect 197
Please note that all submissions for extensions to a vessels Local General Safety Certificate must
be submitted, in writing, to SAMSA before the validity of the certificate expires.
ACT / REGULATION
ACT / REGULATION
MSA
Merchant Shipping Act 57 of 1951
LSA
Life-Saving Equipment Regulations, 1968
Const
Construction Regulations, 1968
S of N
Safety of Navigation Regulations, 1968
MOS
Maritime Occupational Safety Regulations, 1994
Coll
Merchant Shipping (Collision, etc) Regulations, 1996
99