Inspection Before CLASS & USCG Control
Preparing for a class-society survey or a US Coast Guard inspection takes more than a routine check — YachtWatchCare gets your vessel ready in advance so nothing is flagged on survey day. Enter your vessel's length and gross tonnage below to see exactly which checks apply.
1. Tell us about your vessel
Requirements below scale automatically with vessel length and gross tonnage (GT), following common Lloyd's Register / ABS class-survey practice.
Intermediate Survey
Annual / Intermediate Survey — typically held at the 2nd or 3rd anniversary of class
Common to Every Vessel
Digital Reports & DocumentationLast 12 months of Planned Maintenance System (PMS) records, generator insulation/isolation tests, and the last 3 years of logbook entries.
Bilge Safety & AlarmsTest of all bilge pumps (manual & automatic) and a live wet-test of High Bilge Level Alarms in front of the surveyor.
Emergency Response & Steering GearActivation of the emergency steering system, communication test, and check of backup battery power supply.
Underwater Hull Survey (IWS)If afloat, diver or camera inspection of the hull, propellers, anodes and sea inlet valves for structural integrity — in lieu of drydocking.
Safety Systems & ValvesRemote-trigger tests of engine room ventilation dampers and fuel quick-closing valves.
Over 79ft or 150 GT+ status
Class-Approved PMS RecordsCurrency of the LR/ABS-approved digital Planned Maintenance System journals.
Watertight DoorsSealing gaskets and remote closing tests on all watertight doors.
Emergency Steering Gear TestFunctional test of the emergency steering arrangement in the steering compartment.
300–500 GT status
MARPOL Annex IOily water separator (OWS) and Oil Record Book review.
Electronic NavigationAIS signal accuracy and mandatory VHF/GMDSS radio tests.
Survival EquipmentImmersion suits available for all crew and passengers.
500 GT+ status
ISM & ISPS CodeCurrency of International Safety Management and Ship Security Plan logs.
MLC 2006Crew working hours, contracts and living quarters (cabin/galley) compliance audit.
MARPOL Annex VIMain engine and generator air emission (NOx/SOx) certificates and fuel sample records.
5-Year Special / Renewal Survey
Drydocking is mandatory for this survey — scope and legal weight increase with vessel size
Common to Every Vessel
SeacocksRemoval and internal corrosion inspection of every sea inlet/outlet valve on the hull, with surveyor-approved repair or renewal.
Fixed Fire SuppressionHydrostatic pressure tests and weight checks of CO2/FM200 cylinders, plus full-load fire pump performance test.
Structural ExaminationUltrasonic thickness gauging (UTG) for steel/aluminum hulls; osmosis, delamination and moisture scanning for composite (GRP) hulls.
Shaft, Propeller & RudderFull removal of shaft and rudder, cutless bearing clearance measurement, and dye-penetrant / MPI crack testing.
Tank Internal InspectionFuel, fresh water, grey and black water tanks emptied, gas-freed and opened for internal examination and tightness testing.
Anchor & Mooring GearChain locker emptied, anchor chain fully ranged on the dock for link-thickness measurement, and windlass load test.
Over 79ft or 150 GT+ status
Shaft & Propeller Crack TestFull disassembly with dye-penetrant crack examination of shafts and propeller.
Anchor Chain MeasurementLink-thickness measurement across the full chain length; links worn beyond 10% are renewed.
300–500 GT status
Tank Pressure TestingFull internal examination and pressure/tightness testing after degassing of all fuel, fresh water and waste tanks.
Shaft Bearing ClearancesCutless bearing clearance measurements formally recorded in the class file.
500 GT+ status
GMDSS & Navigation RenewalLive-range testing of GMDSS radio systems with shore stations and annual gyro compass calibration renewal.
Rescue Boat SystemsDynamic load test of davit/crane systems (125% of static load) and full-load rescue boat engine test.
US Coast Guard (USCG) Requirements
Applies to vessels operating in U.S. waters, in addition to class society requirements
Under 79ft — Pleasure Yachts
USCG-Approved Safety EquipmentLife jackets, life rings and flares must carry a visible USCG Approval Number.
Fire ExtinguishersMarine-type portable extinguishers no older than 5 years, mounted per the required layout.
79ft and Over — Commercial / Charter Yachts
Certificate of Inspection (COI)A valid USCG COI confirming passenger-carrying capacity must be displayed on board.
EPA & Oil Pollution PlacardsFederal oil and garbage discharge placards posted in the engine room and galley, per 33 CFR 155.450.
Navigation Lights & Sound SignalsCOLREG-compliant navigation lights and an approved sound-signaling device (horn/bell) on board.
NOA/NOD FilingFor foreign-flagged vessels over 300 GT, Notice of Arrival/Departure filings before entering U.S. waters.
Crew & Drill RecordsWeekly/monthly fire and man-overboard (MOB) drill logs in USCG format, plus periodic random crew drug-testing records.
Requirements shown are general guidance based on common class-society (Lloyd's Register / ABS-style) and USCG practice (oil/garbage placard rule: 33 CFR 155.450). Exact scope varies by flag state, vessel particulars and class society — YachtWatchCare confirms the final checklist with your class surveyor and/or USCG office before the visit.
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