What is a SIRE Inspection?
The Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE) is a safety initiative by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and a risk assessment tool that assesses tanker quality and ship safety standards.
A SIRE inspection checklist is an assessment tool used by charterers, ship and terminal operators, and government bodies to do with ship safety to help them ensure the security and seaworthiness of a vessel.
The SIRE inspection checklist is divided into 12 chapters, each addressing important aspects regarding maritime safety:
- General Information
- Certification and Documentation
- Crew Management
- Navigation and Communications
- Safety Management
- Pollution Prevention
- Maritime Security
- Cargo and Ballast Systems – Chemicals
- Cargo and Ballast Systems – Petroleum
- Cargo and Ballast Systems – LPG
- Cargo and Ballast Systems – LNG
- Mooring
The 5 Steps of a SIRE Inspection Process
If you are new to SIRE inspections, here is an overview of the usual steps of the checkup and the order in which they should be performed:
1. REQUEST A SIRE SUBMITTING COMPANY FOR AN INSPECTION
The process starts with an inspection request to an authorized SIRE submitting agency to have your vessel inspected. If a ship has already undergone inspection in the last 12 months, ask them if they are willing to conduct further inspection.
Take note that you cannot ask SIRE inspectors for an inspection. Only a submitter can commission inspections, and they have the final say which vessels they want to check. They also decide which inspectors will conduct the assessment.
2. AGREE ON AN INSPECTION DATE
Once the authorized submitter agrees with your vessel’s inspection request, they will generate a commission within SIRE and appoint an inspector. The assessor will then arrive at the arranged time and location.
3. INSPECTION TAKES PLACE
The evaluation can be performed either physically or remotely, which is a big plus in uncertain times such as during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing guidelines and protective measures. The company and vessel operator will agree upon the type of inspection that will take place after the booking. The inspector will submit an electronic report to SIRE, which, in turn, forwards it to the submitting agency that commissioned the report.
4. SUBMITTING COMPANY REVIEWS THE REPORT
The submitter reviews the report to make sure that it is free from errors. After that, they will process the information and make it available to you.
5. REVIEW THE REPORT
Once you have the inspection account, you can review and comment on the observations made by the inspector. Save the comments you added and publish the report, which will then be accessible within SIRE.
5 Tips To Help You Prepare for a SIRE Inspection?
Vetting inspections can be very stressful if you do not know what to look for and prioritize along the way. That is why a SIRE inspection checklist is not only helpful but near essential. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a SIRE inspection:
1. READ THE LATEST VIQ VERSION A FEW TIMES OVER
Take notes while you read and break the ideas into smaller ones so you can easily digest and remember them. Create different headings for these more minor checklists to help you streamline the process.
Once your shell SIRE inspection checklist is ready, ask the officer-in-charge of each workstation and inspect the items on that list. If it complies, tick “Yes.”
2. LET YOUR STAFF READ THE VIQ
The success of the inspection lies in the team effort of both the officers and the crew members. In other words, everyone employed on your vessel should be aware of the guidelines and expectations. If they know what items and processes need compliance, they will identify mistakes and take corrective actions or initiate preventive measures autonomously.
3. PRIME YOUR VESSEL FOR INSPECTION
Safety is essential, but so is the overall look of your vessel. Allocate time for priming, de-rusting, painting, and greasing of all moving parts. Dispose of any accumulated garbage and maintain good housekeeping in accommodation.
4. FILL THE DECK AND ENGINE LOGBOOKS APPROPRIATELY
A lot of officers and engineers make the mistake of not using these two separate logbooks appropriately. They are half-empty most of the time, and the most common excuse is that the reports are in the ship’s computers or PMS forms. Such neglect can make or break your compliance certification.
All tasks onboard consist of these three basic steps:
- Plan the job either in PMS or in the ship inspection checklist.
- Complete the job.
- Write it in the corresponding logbook.
5. CHECK ALL THE LIGHTS ON INSPECTION DAY
Ask the electrician to go on deck and check all the lights. It ensures that all the lights are functioning at sea and available when emergencies happen.
What are the Advantages of a Digital SIRE Inspection Checklist?
With the help of a digital checklist, your shipyard can reliably complete any relevant and necessary tasks without forgetting anything and pass inspections easily. Managers can conduct inspections easily via a smartphone or tablet on the go, freeing up time so they can devote more attention to their other responsibilities. Delegate tasks and always keep an eye on what is happening where so that you and your crew can support each other at all times.
Digital checklists are not only helpful when preparing for a SIRE inspection, they are versatile and easily adjustable so that you can use them in many different areas on your ship. In preparation for a SIRE inspection, however, a digital checklist is near indispensable, as it provides you with valuable information about each and every part of your vessel. These are some additional advantages to digitizing your checklists:
- Our extensive template library provides you with a plethora of pre-created checklists that you can use right away.
- Lumiform’s flexible form builderallows you to digitize your own paper checklists within minutes, customize them and update them according to inspection results.
- By using the super intuitive mobile app, you can audit your vessel inconspicuously at any time to ensure your crew is performing their assigned duties.
- All results, images, and comments are automatically bundled into an automated digital report for you to review and analyze at your convenience.
