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Home › Survey & Certification › International Load Line Certificate
Operational guide · Certification & surveys

International Load Line Certificate

The Load Line certificate connects assigned freeboard, marks and ship condition. Validity also depends on surveys and maintained fittings, not only structural alterations.

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Operational Explanation

Compare the certificate and conditions of assignment with the hull, openings and closing appliances. Assess changes beforehand with flag or RO: a repair does not automatically have the same effect as an alteration requiring increased freeboard.

Regulatory Reference

Load Lines 1988 Protocol, Articles 14 and 19; IMO: Load Lines.

Articles 4–5 define the international regime. Exclusions cover warships, new ships under 24 m in length, existing ships under 150 gross tons, pleasure yachts not engaged in trade and fishing vessels. Article 5.2 also excludes ships navigating solely within the specifically listed geographical waters. Check domestic requirements separately. Load Lines, articles 4–5.

Scope of Application

Under the 1966/1988 regime, Article 19(9) also covers ineffective fittings, missing annual-survey endorsement and structural strength reduced enough to make the ship unsafe. Flag transfer is addressed separately in Article 19(11).

Procedure / How to Complete It

  1. Check certificate, endorsements and conditions of assignment.
  2. Compare freeboard marks with documents.
  3. Check relevant closures, openings and fittings.
  4. Submit changes for competent assessment before work.
  5. Record restoration, survey and required certificate action.

Practical Example

An ineffective closing appliance requires attention even without changes to hull geometry: unchanged certified freeboard is not sufficient.

What Typically Goes Wrong

Reducing all causes of invalidity to the need for increased freeboard.

Common Mistakes Mistake Library

MistakeHow to avoid it
Reducing all causes of invalidity to the need for increased freeboard.Check the individual ship’s requirements and documents before closing the work.

What the PSCO Checks

Check certificate and endorsements, marks, closures and relevant observable condition. Compare changes and repairs against approval evidence; do not rely only on printed expiry.

Operational Tips

Preparation checklist

FAQ

Does every alteration automatically invalidate the certificate?
No. Its nature and effects must be assessed under the applicable regime.
Can only increased freeboard end validity?
No. Article 19 also provides other grounds involving condition, endorsements and flag transfer.
Is checking expiry sufficient?
No. Also check surveys, endorsements and actual condition.

Related Topics

Tonnage Certificate and IMO NumberHarmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC)

Last substantive revision of this page: 16 September 2026 · page fingerprint 02530e0da30f