A statutory survey conducted to renew a SOLAS or MARPOL certificate for a further period, typically five years.
In practice
For the ISM Code certificates, the renewal audit of the SMC requires a flag state auditor or recognised auditor to verify that the vessel's SMS is fully implemented and effective. Intermediate verifications are required between renewal audits. The master and DPA must ensure that all ISM Code documentation — voyage records, drill records, non-conformity reports, and corrective actions — is complete and accessible. Failure to renew a statutory certificate before expiry means the certificate is no longer valid, potentially leaving the vessel unable to call at ports that require current certificates as a condition of entry.
Regulatory detail & full definition
A renewal survey is the formal survey required to renew a statutory certificate issued under one of the principal IMO conventions — most commonly the Safety Management Certificate (SMC) under the ISM Code (renewed every five years), or the Document of Compliance (DoC) issued to the company, and the statutory certificates under SOLAS (Safety Construction, Safety Equipment, Safety Radio, Load Line, and MARPOL certificates). Each certificate type has its own survey scope and frequency defined by the relevant convention.
For the ISM Code certificates, the renewal audit of the SMC requires a flag state auditor or recognised auditor to verify that the vessel's SMS is fully implemented and effective. Intermediate verifications are required between renewal audits. The master and DPA must ensure that all ISM Code documentation — voyage records, drill records, non-conformity reports, and corrective actions — is complete and accessible. Failure to renew a statutory certificate before expiry means the certificate is no longer valid, potentially leaving the vessel unable to call at ports that require current certificates as a condition of entry.