Initial Survey Key Elements

Construction

The scantlings, machinery, electrical systems, and fire fighting equipment of a vessel make up the construction component. Construction is assessed against minimum standards during the initial survey process, or when the vessel is modified or repaired. The construction can either be approved by the Commercial Operations Branch or accepted on the basis of a previous approval. Construction is not assessed for vessels exempt from initial survey or for whitewater rafts.

Stability

The intact and damage stability characteristics of the vessel make up the stability component. The scantlings of the vessel are also integral to the stability component and are considered during the construction assessment. Stability is assessed against minimum standards during the initial survey process, or when the vessel is modified or repaired. The stability can either be approved by the Commercial Operations Branch or accepted on the basis of a previous approval. Stability is not assessed for vessels exempt from initial survey.

Safety Equipment

The amount and type of safety equipment on board a vessel is assessed by the commercial operations branch during the initial survey process. Its condition is assessed during the periodic survey process. The Commercial Operations Branch does safety equipment assessments except for Sailing Training vessels and Whitewater Raft Licences. In these cases the branch assesses a declaration about the equipment carried.

Operation

During the initial survey process, the operational aspects of the vessel are assessed against minimum standards. These include the crewing requirements, plying limits and any exemptions or equivalence.

Condition

The condition of the vessel is assessed during the initial survey process through inspections and running trials, and during the periodic survey process by the periodic inspections. The condition is assessed against minimum standards and against good marine practice. The Commercial Operations Branch conducts all condition assessments except for Sailing Training vessels and Whitewater Raft Licences where a declaration about the condition is assessed.

Environmental Assessment

For vessels of unusual form or who's operation may impact adversely upon the surrounding environment, an environmental assessment will be required before the issue of a survey certificate.