The Vessel Assurance Process Followed by Survey Vessel Companies
Here at LOC Group, we provide a vessel assurance process unique to your needs. We provide a bespoke service because the levels of work necessary, as well as the levels of risk, can vary depending on the vessel in question.
Vessel assurance is an imperative service. It focuses on ensuring that vessels are compliant, fit for use and are safe for crew; consequently, without vessel assurance, risk can increase exponentially. Reducing risk is at the heart of LOC Group’s vessel assurance, and we look at pinpointing risks; mitigating them, and carrying out overall exemplary risk management. Read on to find out more about our commitment to vessel assurance.
While the vessel assurance process followed by survey vessel companies like ourselves is a demanding one, it equally helps in making the maritime industries safer and highly functional. The report generated gives a clear insight on how well maintained and managed a particular vessel is.
Survey vessel companies are responsible for carrying out the vessel assurance process. But, what do we mean when we use the word “responsible”? What are the areas that play an important role in the vessel assurance process?
The key objective of survey vessel companies undertaking the vessel assurance process is to determine that the subject vessel is compliant with the flag, class, operating area and charterer’s specification.
Experience and expertise are the two key areas. Relevant technical knowledge of the process undertaken and the qualifications required to perform the work are the core areas of concern. Technical areas and disciplines include marine, dynamic positioning, pipe-lay, lifting, dive and ROV arrangements and helideck to name a few. It is important to consider the situations prevailing in order to successfully complete the process. Let’s take a look at the steps that make up this process.
In-House Check List
The in-house check lists that we use guide our inspectors through the various stages of assurance process. The work will include a summary report for each area and the vessel as a whole replete with observations and findings for closure tracking. Follow-up of the report and the decision to close the tracking will be decided upon consultation with the client and after having a thorough discussion with the operator/owner of the vessel. The final report is issued once all the items are completed and closed. The oil and gas industry follows this important step to ensure that the license holder’s process is in compliance with the national regulation. Equally, this step can be applied in the marine industry as well, demonstrating a good industry practice.
Inspection across the Globe
The vessel owners often get instructions to work on a specific vessel or facility that is located in another location than where the vessel company is headquartered. Our wide international network of offices ensures that the survey and inspection are carried out without any hassle, thereby, reducing last minute checks and inspections that help to prevent delay in the vessel assurance process.
Variety of Disciplines at Play
The offer of a tailor-made assurance process help to ensure that a vessel and its equipment are at par with the contract and operation requirements. The disciplines at play vary from one vessel to another, thereby resulting in tailor-made services. The variety depends on the work to be done and the risk it presents.
Expert Professionals Involved
Apart from the steps mentioned above, the qualities of the experts undertaking the process need to be considered as well. The expert will need to be proficient and skilled in collecting thorough notes and data, comparing and collating this data, providing a thorough examination of the location as well as thinking about context and circumstances, as well as conducting many more skilled activities before the final report is prepared. All of this has to be done on an urgent basis, so this can mean long working hours with little or no rest in between meaning the expert must be able to remain sharp and professional throughout the process.
A well-managed vessel assurance process followed by the survey vessel company provides good evidence of a mature, properly functioning risk management process for the client and other stake holders.