The Interview Is No Longer Limited to Officers One noticeable change in modern inspections is that interviews are no longer focused solely on Masters, Chief Officers, and Chief Engineers. Today, inspectors frequently speak with Bosuns, Pumpmen, Oilers, and No.1 Oilers.…
Understanding LNG Vessel Cargo Tank Design from an Engineer’s Perspective My First Impression of an LNG Carrier (Membrane Type) The first time I stepped onboard an LNG carrier, I expected to see something similar to a conventional oil tanker. Instead,…
The Biggest Change Is Not the Tablet When SIRE 2.0 was first introduced, much of the industry discussion focused on technology. Inspectors now carry tablets. Questions are digitally recorded. Observations are uploaded directly into the reporting system. While these changes…
A Good Toolbox Meeting Is Not About Completing a Form During my years at sea, I attended countless Toolbox Meetings. Like many engineers, I can still remember standing in the engine room early in the morning, half awake, holding a…
Beyond Compliance: Why RA and PTW Matter Among all the documents reviewed during vessel inspections, few receive as much attention as Risk Assessments (RA) and Permit to Work (PTW) systems. At first glance, many seafarers assume these are simply paperwork…
My Perspective Changed While Preparing for Vessel Inspections When I first started studying vessel inspections, I assumed that surveyors were mainly looking for physical deficiencies. Corrosion. Oil leakage. Structural damage. Defective equipment. As a marine engineer, that seemed logical. After…
Why This Topic Matters When reviewing a vessel’s Class Status Report (CSR), surveyors often encounter two terms: Recommendation Condition of Class (CoC) At first glance, they may appear similar. Both indicate that the classification society has identified an issue requiring…
A Well-Maintained Vessel Is More Than a Well-Organized File When preparing for vessel inspections, I initially assumed that reviewing a Planned Maintenance System (PMS) was largely a documentation exercise. Check maintenance records. Verify completion dates. Review overdue jobs. Move on.…
The First Documents a RightShip Inspector Reviews Onboard As a marine engineer currently preparing for vessel inspections and marine surveying assignments, I started reviewing the RightShip RISQ questionnaire in detail. This article summarizes some of the key concepts I…
When I first started studying vessel inspections, one of the biggest questions I had was: “Why do shipowners worry so much about RightShip when the vessel already holds valid statutory certificates?” At first glance, it may seem strange. A vessel…
