Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# Remote Survey Guidance: Remote Survey, ISM Audits and ISPS Verifications

Not every survey necessarily requires a surveyor on board anymore: the IMO Guidance on remote surveys, approved at MEPC 84/MSC 111, defines when and how a verification can be conducted remotely, without replacing physical inspection as the general rule.

Remote Survey Guidance HSSC MEPC 84 MSC 111 remote audit

## Operational Explanation

The 2023 Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (Resolution A.1186(33)), further amended by IMO Assembly 34 (December 2025, in force from 1 January 2026), provided for the development of a dedicated Guide on remote surveys, extended also to ISM Code audits and ISPS Code verifications. This Guide received final approval at MEPC 84 (April-May 2026) and MSC 111 (May 2026), completing a path started with the update of the Survey Guidelines.

The Guide does not replace traditional physical inspection as a general rule, but defines the conditions under which a Classification Society or a Flag Administration may conduct certain types of verification remotely — using tools such as video calls, live video streaming, photographic/video documentation and digital document sharing — for selected statutory surveys of lower complexity, ISM audits (DOC/SMC) and ISPS Code verifications, when the physical presence of the surveyor/auditor would be impractical or disproportionate to the risk, and provided that equivalent assurance of compliance and certain identification of the ship and the personnel involved are guaranteed.

## Regulatory Reference

IMO Guidance on Remote Surveys (developed under the 2023 Survey Guidelines under HSSC, Res. A.1186(33)), finally approved at MEPC 84 (April-May 2026) and MSC 111 (May 2026): extends the applicability of remote verification methods to selected statutory surveys, ISM Code audits (DOC/SMC) and ISPS Code verifications, without replacing physical inspection as a general rule.

## Scope of Application

Every Company, Classification Society or Flag Administration evaluating the use of remote verification methods for statutory surveys, ISM audits or ISPS verifications, within the scope and conditions defined by the Guidance.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. For each type of survey/audit/verification being planned, check whether it falls within the scope of the remote survey Guidance according to the Classification Society's/Flag Administration's criteria.
2. Set up the technical infrastructure needed on board (connectivity, cameras, digital document sharing) before requesting a remote verification.
3. Document the conditions that justify using the remote mode instead of traditional physical inspection (e.g. impracticality, disproportion relative to risk).
4. Ensure certain identification of the ship, crew and personnel involved during the remote verification session.
5. Prepare a contingency plan in case of loss of connectivity during the session, so the verification in progress is not invalidated.
6. Retain documentation of the remote survey/audit/verification session (recordings, screenshots, logs) as evidence supporting the verification conducted.

## Practical Example

Example: a Company requests the Classification Society to carry out a remote Intermediate Survey verification for a lower-complexity item, arranging in advance the onboard video connection, the required photographic documentation and a backup plan in case the connection is interrupted during the session.

## Real Cases

The extension of remote verification methods, already trialled on a limited basis during the health restrictions of 2020-2021, has now consolidated into a structured IMO framework: the main difference from that emergency phase is the explicit definition of conditions, scope and equivalence safeguards, which make remote survey a plannable option rather than only an emergency measure.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Remote verification requested without first confirming that the type falls within the Guidance's scope | Request refused or need to repeat the verification in physical form | Always verify the applicable scope with the Classification Society/Flag Administration before planning a remote verification
Onboard technical infrastructure (connectivity, cameras) not tested before the remote survey session | Session interruption or failure, requiring rescheduling | Test connectivity and technical equipment with sufficient lead time before the scheduled session
Documentation of the remote verification session not systematically retained | Lack of evidence supporting the verification in the event of a later dispute | Always retain recordings, photographic documentation and session logs as evidence

## PSC Observations

PSC inspections remain conducted physically; the Guidance on remote surveys concerns Classification Society/Flag Administration verifications (statutory surveys, ISM audits, ISPS verifications) and does not replace or modify PSC inspection methods.

## Operational Tips

- Don't assume every type of survey is suitable for the remote mode: always check the specific applicable scope with the Classification Society.
- Set up and test the onboard technical infrastructure in advance, not on the day of the scheduled session.
- Always retain documentation of the remote verification session as evidence, on a par with a traditional survey report.

## Checklist

- Scope of the remote verification confirmed with the Classification Society/Flag Administration
- Onboard technical infrastructure set up and tested
- Conditions justifying the remote mode documented
- Identification of ship, crew and personnel involved ensured during the session
- Contingency plan for loss of connectivity prepared
- Documentation of the session retained as evidence

## FAQ

Does the Guidance on remote surveys replace traditional physical inspection?
No: it defines the conditions under which certain types of survey, ISM audit and ISPS verification can be conducted remotely, without replacing physical inspection as a general rule.
When did the Guidance receive final approval?
At MEPC 84 (April-May 2026) and MSC 111 (May 2026), completing a path started with the IMO Assembly 34 update to the Survey Guidelines (December 2025).
Does it also apply to ISM audits and ISPS verifications, not just statutory surveys?
Yes: the Guidance's scope was explicitly extended also to ISM Code audits (DOC/SMC) and ISPS Code verifications, in addition to selected statutory surveys.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC)Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT)

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