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Core operations
Interactive Preparation Checklists
Interactive checklists gathered from all 12 thematic modules, for preparation and revision.
Learning checklists. They store progress in the browser and support study, familiarisation and preparation. They do not replace the SMS, approved procedures, manuals or documents, and completion does not demonstrate compliance or readiness: always verify current applicable requirements and documents.
Before starting: bunkering plan agreed, product and compatibility checked, receiving tanks and available capacity confirmed with procedural margin.
Line-up, connections and containment checked; responsibilities, attendance, communications, rates/pressures and emergency stopping agreed with the supplier.
Sulphur and safety properties checked against fuel, plant and route, considering any approved equivalent and local requirements.
Sampling arranged where MARPOL VI/18.8 applies; at delivery check BDN and representative sample, seals and identification. For gas/low-flashpoint fuels check VI/18.5.2 documentation without assuming the same sample obligation.
Retention arranged: BDN at least 3 years; required MARPOL sample under ship control until substantially consumed and at least 12 months. Discrepancies to be recorded and reported.
Area boundaries, application dates and limits checked; SOx, NOx and local restrictions distinguished.
Where needed, changeover planned under a written procedure considering volumes, consumption, mixing and maker’s thermal limits; completion before entry.
On exit, any switch to fuel subject to the global limit started only after the boundary; no requirement to stop using already compliant fuel.
Flag-prescribed record ready: date, time, position and tank volumes at completion before entry or commencement after exit under VI/14.6.
For EGCS: approved equivalence and documents, parameters, alarms, records and failure procedure checked; local discharge restrictions checked.
Part one of two. The second, Before a PSC — certificates, equipment and SMS status, covers different checks: use them together, not as alternatives.
Applicability checked for ship and cargo: MARPOL certificates, supplements, endorsements and surveys due consistent; not every document is required on every ship.
Required ORB Parts I/II current and signed, consistent with tanks, volumes, receipts and operations; traceable corrections without fabricated reconstruction.
Applicable GRB and Garbage Management Plan current; Annex II Cargo Record Book and P&A Manual checked where required.
Applicable SOPEP/SMPEP available with ship/Company contacts and current IMO national contact list, including quarterly updates.
Applicable Annex VI evidence available: BDN/samples, changeover, EGCS documentation and required records; crew able to explain actual operation.
OWS and specified associated devices checked under procedures, with 15 ppm alarm/stopping where required and documented maintenance; no unlawful discharge to demonstrate operation.
Facility confirmed for sludge type and quantity; availability, port notifications and delivery arrangements agreed.
Tanks, actual quantities and volume to deliver checked; ORB I, C 11.1–11.3, updated at least weekly and manual collections recorded under C 11.4 where relevant. A company monthly balance does not replace these records.
Before transfer: line-up, connections and containment checked under procedure; responsible persons, communications, attendance and stopping agreed with the receiver.
After delivery: actual quantities and times, tanks involved and retained quantities recorded in ORB I under C 12.1; signature and facility details under the record book instructions.
Receipt obtained after delivery, checked against the transfer and ORB and filed; any differences clarified and traced.
Audit plan, scope and criteria defined under the SMS; current procedures, previous findings and samples of actual operations available.
Auditor competent and independent of the area audited, unless impracticable due to the size and nature of the Company; rationale and arrangements to maintain objectivity documented.
NC/CAPA and near misses reviewed: owners, deadlines, analysis and effectiveness checks identified, including actions still open.
Latest Management Review and follow-up available; DPA contacts and role known to the crew.
Familiarization of new joiners and personnel changing duties checked through records and practical evidence, including essential instructions before sailing and requirements before assigned duties.
Emergency plans and drills reviewed; lessons assessed and necessary changes approved, distributed and reflected in controlled SMS documents.
Qualifications, certificates and medical fitness checked against the assignment and applicable requirements.
Person responsible for familiarization identified; briefing in a language understood and understanding checked, including relevant demonstrations.
Essential ISM instructions identified, provided and documented before sailing.
Before assigned duties: required safety, security and ship-specific equipment/procedure familiarization completed. Further SMS training must not defer these prerequisites.
Alarms, escape routes, emergency stations and equipment explained; muster list duties assigned and understood.
Copy of the MLC complaint procedure provided and explained, with relevant contacts and the onboard person for confidential advice; familiarization records completed under the SMS.
Steering gear checked and tested within 12 hours before departure under SOLAS V/26, unless an applicable flag waiver for short voyages applies; records available.
Navigation equipment, alarms and communications checked under the SMS; propulsion readiness and limitations confirmed with the engine room.
Muster list consistent with the crew; emergency systems status and periodic tests checked, with defects addressed before departure.
Certificates and actual dates checked; renewal scheduled under the applicable instrument. The three months before expiry preserve the validity basis where provided, and are not a universal window.
Scope, preparations, safe access and tests agreed with flag/RO; any extensions formally authorized, never assumed.
Statutory and class status distinguished; findings and Conditions of Class addressed by their deadlines with accepted closure evidence.
Documents, maintenance and reports available; freeboard markings and IMO number checked where applicable.
Before treating renewal as complete: report, issued certificates/endorsements, new expiry dates and limitations checked.
CII/DCS and MRV/ETS applicability distinguished; consumption, distances and activity reconciled with their respective plans and supporting records.
Annual CII and rating checked for the emission year; SEEMP II/III consistent. Corrective plan in the SEEMP for D in three consecutive years or E, to be submitted for verification.
Verified MRV reports and aggregated Company data prepared for the following 31 March, unless an earlier date is required by the authority; ETS scope and any derogations checked.
Allowances available and Registry surrender scheduled by 30 September: in 2026, 70% of 2025 emissions subject to ETS; from 2027, 100% of the previous year’s emissions subject to ETS.
For emissions from 2026, CH4 and N2O included in ETS; surrender confirmation retained, since purchase alone does not fulfil the obligation.
TMSA is the Company’s self-assessment; shipboard evidence supports its declarations.
SIRE 2.0 or CDI programme confirmed; requirements, questionnaires and preliminary data checked against the current relevant programme.
For SIRE 2.0: PIQ, certificates, crew matrix and required photographs current; preparation based on the applicable Question Library, without assuming advance CVIQ access.
Crew ready to explain and demonstrate actual operations; equipment, procedures and human factors checked together.
Defects and previous observations reviewed with actions and evidence; controlled documents consistent with onboard conditions.
Security measures consistent with risks, route and applicable plan; operational evidence consistent with the Company’s declared TMSA.
Abandon ship and fire drills have distinct objectives: plan applicable participation and frequencies and identify the activities completed for each in the record.
Scenario, risks, weather and operational conditions assessed; roles, communications and stopping criteria agreed.
Lifeboat, davit, winch and applicable release gear checked under manuals; maintenance and defects reviewed.
Participants briefed and familiarized; required lifejackets and immersion suits available and serviceable.
Launching, lowering and recovery planned for the craft type, applicable requirements and maker instructions; personnel exposure limited to what is necessary.
Drill communications checked; any radio tests in an authorized mode, avoiding false distress alerts.
After the drill: participants, activities, omissions and reasons recorded; debriefing, defects and follow-up actions tracked.
Count of all persons aboard reconciled before departure, within authorized limits; data and shore reporting under applicable requirements.
Gangway, access, lighting, signage and staffing checked; assistance arranged for persons needing it.
Escape routes, exits and muster stations accessible and clear; arrangement consistent with approved plans and evacuation analysis where required.
Instructions and safety cards available and understandable; new-passenger safety briefing arranged immediately before or after departure.
If the scheduled stay exceeds 24 hours: new-passenger muster before or immediately upon departure, with lifejacket and alarm instructions; additional applicable requirements checked.
For packaged goods, IMDG 42-24 applied in 2026; classification, UN number, proper shipping name and subsidiary hazards checked.
Transport document and shipper declaration obtained; container/vehicle packing certificate where required, markings and external condition checked.
Ship and space suitability checked, including Document of Compliance where required; stowage, segregation and securing defined.
Required list/manifest or permitted stowage plan prepared and updated to actual cargo, with locations and required transmission before departure.
Emergency information, EmS and MFAG available; personnel trained for their duties. IMDG chapter 1.3 for shore personnel; relevant STCW/SMS requirements for crew.