33 CFR 151.17: Oil pollution prevention surveys for U.S. ships

(a) Every U.S. oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above, and every other U.S. ship of 400 gross tons and above; that is required to have an International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate on board and to which this part applies, except as provided for in paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section; is subject to the following surveys conducted by the Coast Guard—

(1) An initial survey, conducted before the ship is put in service or before an IOPP Certificate required under § 151.19 is issued for the first time; this survey includes a complete examination of its structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material in so far as the ship is covered by this chapter.

(2) Periodic renewal surveys conducted at intervals corresponding with the renewal of the IOPP Certificates. The purpose of the survey is to determine whether the structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements, and material comply with the requirements of parts 155 and 157 of this chapter.

(3) Annual surveys for inspected ships conducted as close as practicable to twelve (12) and thirty-six (36) months from the date of issuance of the IOPP Certificate, and not more than two months prior to or later than these twelve and thirty-six month dates; this survey is to determine that the oily-water separating equipment and associated pumps and piping systems remain satisfactory for the service intended, and that no unauthorized alterations have been made, and is to be endorsed on the IOPP Certificate.

(4) Intermediate surveys for inspected ships conducted as close as practicable to twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance of the IOPP Certificates, and not more than six months prior to or later than that twenty-four month date; this survey is to determine whether the equipment and associated pump and piping systems, including oil discharge monitoring and control systems, and oily-water separating equipment comply with the requirements of parts 155 and 157 of this chapter, and are in good working order, and is to be endorsed on the IOPP Certificate.

(5) Intermediate surveys for uninspected ships conducted as close as practicable to thirty (30) months from the date of issuance of the IOPP Certificate, and not more than six months prior to or later than that thirty month date; this survey is to determine whether the equipment and associated pump and piping systems, including oil discharge monitoring and control systems, and oily-water separating equipment comply with the requirements of parts 155 and 157 of this chapter, and are in good working order, and is to be endorsed on the IOPP Certificate.

(b) Every U.S. inspected oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above, and every other U.S. inspected ship of 400 gross tons and above; that is not required to have an IOPP Certificate on board is subject to the following surveys to be conducted by the Coast Guard—

(1) An initial survey conducted before the ship is put into service.

(2) All other surveys are conducted concurrently with either inspections for certification or required reinspections.

(c) After any survey of a ship under this section has been completed, no significant change may be made in the construction, equipment, fittings, arrangements or material covered by the survey without the sanction of the COTP or OCMI except for the direct replacement of such equipment or fittings.

(d) Fixed and floating drilling rigs and other platforms, barges, and uninspected ships; that are not required to have an IOPP Certificate on board are not required to be surveyed under this section.