Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# Hot Work Permit at the Shipyard: Ship-Dock Coordination

In dry dock the hot work permit is no longer just an onboard procedure: it overlaps with the shipyard's own permit system, and the two parties don't always share the same level of rigour.

hot work permit fire watch shipyard dry dock safety

## Operational Explanation

During a dry dock entry, hot work (welding, cutting, grinding) is a constant and widespread activity, carried out both by shipyard personnel and, at times, by the crew. Unlike the hot work permit managed entirely by the ship while underway, in dry dock the permit system must coordinate with that of the shipyard, which operates according to its own risk categories (typically at three levels: minor, moderate and major operations) and its own authorization procedures.

An updated guide published in 2025 by an industry body highlights how the dry dock environment requires fire watch, hot work permits and rigorous isolation protocols as non-negotiable requirements, given the ship's structural complexity, which makes a fire potentially fast to spread and difficult to reach. The ship's fire protection systems must remain in service during hot work operations, or be replaced by approved equivalent measures, and the onboard Superintendent must obtain appropriate approval before work begins.

## Regulatory Reference

There is no single IMO standard dedicated to coordinating ship-shipyard hot work permits; general occupational safety principles in shipyards apply (including OSHA guidelines for the shipyard sector and industry guides updated in 2025), supplemented by the ship's own Permit to Work system and that of the host shipyard.

## Scope of Application

Every ship in dry dock during which hot work is carried out, whether by shipyard personnel or crew, requiring coordination between the ship's permit system and that of the shipyard.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Formally agree with the shipyard, before work begins, which permit system (ship or shipyard) prevails for each area and type of hot work.
2. Verify that the onboard Superintendent obtains appropriate approval before the start of every significant hot work operation.
3. Keep the ship's fire protection systems in service during hot work operations, or arrange approved equivalent measures when systems are unavailable.
4. Ensure the presence of a dedicated fire watch for every hot work operation, regardless of whether it is conducted by ship or shipyard personnel.
5. Classify hot work operations according to risk level (minor, moderate, major) and apply the corresponding level of control and supervision.

## Practical Example

Example: during a dry dock entry, before starting welding work on the double bottom, the onboard Superintendent and the shipyard's safety officer formally agree on the applicable permit system, verify the presence of a dedicated fire watch, and confirm that the ship's fire protection systems remain operational for the entire duration of the intervention.

## Real Cases

Industry analyses on dry dock safety highlight how the ship's structural complexity, combined with the concentration of hot work activities conducted by multiple parties (crew and shipyard personnel) with potentially misaligned permit systems, makes dry dock a high fire-risk environment, to be managed with rigorous isolation and fire watch protocols as non-negotiable requirements, not bureaucratic formalities.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Ship and shipyard permit systems not formally aligned before hot work begins | Confusion over responsibility and applicable control level, with risk of safety gaps | Always formally agree with the shipyard which permit system prevails for each area and type of work
Ship's fire protection systems deactivated during hot work without equivalent measures | Absence of effective fire protection during the highest-risk activity | Always keep the ship's fire systems in service or arrange approved equivalent measures
Fire watch considered necessary only for hot work operations conducted by the crew, not by shipyard personnel | Surveillance gap for a significant share of dry dock risk activities | Always ensure a dedicated fire watch for every hot work operation, regardless of who conducts it

## PSC Observations

Coordination of hot work permits in dry dock is not typically subject to direct PSC verification, since the ship is temporarily out of service; it nonetheless remains relevant to general safety and may emerge in the event of an incident during the dock period.

## Operational Tips

- Always formally agree with the shipyard, before work begins, which permit system prevails for each area and type of hot work.
- Don't deactivate the ship's fire protection systems during hot work without arranging approved equivalent measures.
- Always ensure a dedicated fire watch for every hot work operation, conducted by ship or shipyard personnel.

## Checklist

- Ship-shipyard permit system formally agreed before hot work begins
- Onboard Superintendent's approval obtained before every significant operation
- Ship's fire protection systems kept in service or replaced by equivalent measures
- Dedicated fire watch present for every hot work operation
- Operations classified by risk level (minor/moderate/major) with corresponding control

## FAQ

Who is responsible for the hot work permit during a dry dock entry?
Responsibility must be formally agreed between ship and shipyard before work begins, since both permit systems may be involved depending on the area and type of work.
Must the ship's fire protection systems remain active during hot work in dry dock?
Yes: they must remain in service, or be replaced by approved equivalent measures when unavailable, and the Superintendent must obtain appropriate approval before work begins.
Is fire watch required only for work conducted by the crew?
No: it is required for every hot work operation in dry dock, regardless of whether it is conducted by ship or shipyard personnel.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Permit to Work System Managing Shipyard Repair Contracts

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