Part I/ Chapter 2/ Section 7

7.2 In-water surveys

7.2.1 Eligibility
7.2.1.1 For ships less than 15 years in age the examination of the outside of ship's bottom and related
items of ships may be carried out while the ship is afloat (in water survey) in lieu of the required
intermediate docking between special surveys provided following conditions are satisfied.
a) The ship has been assigned the class notation INWATER SURVEY as defined in Ch.1. However, on
application by the owner and in special circumstances, such in water survey may be considered for ships
not assigned with the class notation INWATER SURVEY.
b) The ship does not have any outstanding recommendations which require repair work in dry dock to the
underwater part of the shell plating, the rudder, the propeller or the propeller shaft.
7.2.1.2 Acceptance of in water surveys as above may be specially considered for ships other than bulk
carriers, oil tankers and chemical tankers which are 15 years of age and over.
7.2.2 Requirements for assignment of INWATER SURVEY notation
7.2.2.1 Detailed plans of the hull and hull attachments below the water line are to be submitted to IRS in
triplicate for approval. These plans are to indicate the location and/or the general arrangement of:
- all shell openings
- stem
- rudder and fittings
- sternpost
- propeller, including the means used for identifying each blade
- anodes, including securing arrangements
- bilge keels
- welded seams and butts.
The plans are also to include the necessary instructions to facilitate the divers' work, especially for taking
clearance measurements.
7.2.2.2 The plans for approval are also to include the procedure for measurement or verification, as the
case may be, of the following:
- rudder pintle/bush clearance
- stern bush clearance
- pintle securing arrangement in the socket.
7.2.2.3 As far as practicable, a photographic documentation, used as a reference during the in-water
surveys, of the following hull parts is to be submitted to IRS:
- propeller boss
- rudder pintles, where slack is measured
- typical connections to the sea
- directional propellers, if any
- other details, as deemed necessary by IRS on a case by case basis.
7.2.2.4 The Owner is to put on board the ship the plans and documents given in 7.2.2.1 and
7.2.2.2 and they are to be made available to the Surveyor and the divers when an in-water survey is carried
out.
7.2.2.5 Protection for the underwater portion of the hull is to be provided by means of a suitable coating of
adequate thickness to last more than the scheduled intervals between consecutive dry dockings and
applied in accordance with the Manufacturer's recommendations.
7.2.3 Survey requirements
7.2.3.1 The in-water survey is to provide all the information normally obtained from a docking survey.
However, special consideration may be given to ascertaining rudder bearing clearances and stern bush
clearances of oil stern bearings based on a review of the operating history, on board testing and stern tube
oil sample reports. These details are to be included in the proposals for in-water surveys which are to be
submitted in advance of the survey so that satisfactory arrangements can be agreed with IRS.

7.2.3.2 The in-water survey is to be carried out with the ship at light draught in sheltered water preferably
with weak tidal streams and currents. The in-water visibility is to be good and the hull below waterline is to
be sufficiently clean to permit meaningful examination. IRS is to be satisfied with the methods of
localisation of the divers on the plating, which should make use where necessary of permanent markings
on the plating at selected points.
7.2.3.3 The in-water survey is to be carried out by a person who is a skilled diver and trained to carry out
in-water survey, or a qualified diver under surveillance of a Surveyor. The diver has to be employed by a
firm approved by IRS. The equipment, procedure for observing and reporting the survey are to be
discussed with the parties involved prior to the in-water survey and suitable time is to be allowed to enable
the diving company to test all equipment beforehand.
7.2.3.4 When professional divers are employed, the Surveyor is to be satisfied with the method of pictorial
representation, and a good two-way communication between the Surveyor and divers is to be provided.
7.2.3.5 If the in-water survey reveals damage or a deterioration that requires early attention, the Surveyor
may require that the ship to be dry docked in order that a detailed survey can be undertaken and the
necessary repairs carried out.
7.2.3.6 The condition of the coating is to be confirmed at every dry docking for continuance of the
INWATER SURVEY notation.