Dry Dock Entry Planning
Dry-dock planning starts from statutory and class due dates, ship condition and yard capability; timing, scope and contingencies must be built for the specific project.
Operational Explanation
A docking coordinates statutory inspections, class surveys and maintenance. The programme follows the ship’s due dates, known condition, recommendations and yard capability. There is no universal 6–12 month lead time or standard contingency percentage.
The repair specification should separate firm work, options and extras; the approved docking plan must reflect the ship’s configuration and modifications. Bearing areas must be checked against structure, appendages, sea inlets and available UTM results.
Regulatory Reference
SOLAS I/10 and A.1207(34) HSSC 2025 for cargo-ship bottom inspections; SOLAS I/7 and A.1207(34) for the passenger-ship annual regime; IACS UR Z3 and Society Rules for class bottom/docking survey. Check the docking plan against class Rules, the approved arrangement and applicable statutory construction-drawing requirements.
Link each job to the relevant survey, document to update and party authorised to accept it. Agree hold points before closing access or covering surfaces: the Company’s commercial acceptance does not replace the survey outcome. IMO: surveys and certification.
Prepare a ship/yard sequence for handing over and returning systems: responsibilities, isolations, temporary services, tests and residual defects. Before return to service verify restoration of safety functions affected by the work and record any limitations. IMO: ISM safety management.
Scope of Application
Ships with a bottom inspection, docking survey or work requiring out-of-water access. Regime, window and method depend on ship type, age, certificates, class and approvals; cargo and passenger ships are not one uniform case.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Build a matrix of statutory and class due dates.
- Separate cargo/passenger, bottom inspection, Special Survey and statutory renewals.
- Check the docking plan, modifications and current structural information.
- Define worklist, options, extras, acceptance criteria and hold points.
- Agree yard, surveyor, resources and contingencies from actual risk.
Practical Example
For a cargo ship the Company starts from the SOLAS I/10 window and class programme, checks the docking plan, and prepares base scope, steel-renewal options and extra rates. A passenger ship is planned under the distinct I/7/HSSC regime and applicable approvals.
What Typically Goes Wrong
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo regime used for passenger ship | Wrong due date or method | Separate I/10 from I/7/HSSC |
| Fixed project timeline | Preparation not proportionate | Derive programme from due dates, risk and market |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Use one matrix for requirements, work, owners and hold points.
- Freeze a baseline and manage each extra for cost and critical-path impact.
- Send the yard only approved revisions of technical documents.
Preparation checklist
- Cargo/passenger regime identified
- Statutory and class due dates checked
- Current docking plan available
- Scope and acceptance criteria defined
- Extras and contingencies based on risk
FAQ
Related Topics
Last substantive revision of this page: 16 September 2026 · page fingerprint 736554b878e1