How often should I use this maritime checklist?

This checklist is designed to be completed per event. Regular use ensures compliance with OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Vessel Inspection Programme and OCIMF MEG4 Mooring Equipment Guidelines and helps identify issues before they become problems.

How do I complete this maritime inspection checklist?

Start by filling in the header fields (date, inspector name, location). Then work through each of the 6 sections, marking Yes/No for each inspection point. Add notes for any issues found. Finally, complete the footer section with your signature. The entire process takes approximately 2-3 hours.

What happens if I find issues during the maritime inspection?

Document any issues in the notes field, take photos as evidence, and assign corrective actions. POPProbe's mobile app allows you to instantly assign tasks to team members and track resolution. Critical issues should be escalated immediately per your organization's procedures.

Can I use this checklist on my phone or tablet?

Yes, with POPProbe's mobile app you can complete this checklist on any smartphone or tablet. The app works offline, captures GPS location, allows photo attachments, and automatically syncs when connected. Perfect for field inspections and frontline teams.

How do I customize this maritime checklist for my organization?

With POPProbe, you can easily customize this OCIMF SIRE Vessel Vetting Inspection Preparation Checklist to match your organization's specific requirements. Add or remove inspection points, modify section names, adjust scoring criteria, and include your company branding. You can also set up automated scheduling to ensure the checklist is completed per event and assign it to specific team members or locations.

What are common mistakes to avoid when completing maritime inspections?

Common mistakes include: rushing through items without proper verification, failing to document issues with photos or detailed notes, skipping sections that seem repetitive, not following up on previously identified problems, and completing inspections inconsistently. To avoid these, use a digital tool like POPProbe that enforces completion of all 21 fields, requires photo evidence, and tracks corrective actions automatically.

OCIMF SIRE Vessel Vetting Inspection Preparation Checklist

The OCIMF Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE 2.0) is the tanker industry's primary vetting tool, used by major oil companies (Shell, BP, Total, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and others) to verify that vessels meet their minimum safety and operational standards before being chartered. A SIRE 2.0 inspection report is an objective assessment of a vessel's SMS, certificates, crew competence, and equipment condition against OCIMF's inspection questionnaire, conducted by an OCIMF-accredited inspector. A ve

Industry: Maritime
Frequency: Per Event
Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
Role: Master / Chief Officer / Chief Engineer
Total Items: 16
Compliance: OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Vessel Inspection Programme, OCIMF MEG4 Mooring Equipment Guidelines, OCIMF ISGOTT Tanker Safety Guide Petroleum, CDI Chemical Distribution Institute Inspection, TMSA 3 Tanker Management Self-Assessment

Vessel Certificates, Documentation, and ISM Status (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 1 / ISM Code)

Verify that all statutory certificates are current and available on board, that the ISM SMS is certified by the flag state, and that the vessel's crew complement matches the Safe Manning Certificate. An expired certificate or a non-compliant SMS is an immediate SIRE deficiency that will be reported to all subscribing companies.

Are all statutory certificates (IOPP, MARPOL SVGC, CLC/Fund Certificate, Loadline, SOLAS Safety Construction, Safety Equipment, Safety Radio, CMS, SMC, DOC) current with at least 3 months of validity remaining, signed by the flag state Administration or a recognized organization (RO) on its behalf?
Is the ISM Safety Management Certificate (SMC) for the vessel and the Document of Compliance (DOC) for the company current and on board, covering the type of ship operations being conducted, and has the ISM internal audit for the vessel been conducted within the past 12 months?
Does the vessel's crew complement (officers and ratings on board) meet the minimum safe manning certificate for each certification level, are all officers holding the required STCW certificates for their rank and position, and are endorsements for the flag state current?

Bridge and Navigation Equipment Readiness (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 2 / SOLAS V)

Inspect the bridge and navigation equipment for proper operation, calibration, and crew familiarity. An OCIMF inspector will conduct a bridge test -- assessing the officers' knowledge of navigation equipment, ECDIS operation, and bridge procedures -- as a key element of the SIRE 2.0 inspection.

Are all navigation aids required by SOLAS V/19 (ECDIS, radar, AIS, GMDSS equipment, GPS/GNSS, echo sounder, gyrocompass and magnetic compass with deviation card, VHF radios) operational, calibrated within required intervals, and ship's officers trained on their use?
Is the Passage Plan for the current or next voyage completed in accordance with the company SMS, voyage planning procedure, and SOLAS V/34, including risk assessment of hazards, no-go areas, contingency plans for deviation, and master's approval?
Is the Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) operational, with the testing log showing the most recent functional test, and is the officer on watch (OOW) aware of the BNWAS testing requirement and reset intervals?

Deck and Mooring Equipment (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 3 / OCIMF MEG4)

Inspect mooring equipment against OCIMF MEG4 requirements. OCIMF MEG4 (Mooring Equipment Guidelines 4th Edition) provides guidance on mooring equipment specification, maintenance, and inspection; non-compliance with MEG4 is a frequent SIRE 2.0 observation that affects charterer acceptance.

Are all mooring lines in serviceable condition per OCIMF MEG4 Annex A inspection criteria -- free of major external wear, heat damage, chemical contamination, abrasion through to the core, or permanent kinking -- and have lines exceeding their retirement criteria been removed from service?
Are all mooring winch automatic tension control (ATC) systems disabled or in manual mode at the berth (as required by OCIMF MEG4 and terminal operations guidelines), and do crew members know the procedure for disabling ATC before mooring operations?
Is the anchor equipment (windlass, anchors, chain) in operational condition, with chain calibration, anchor condition, and windlass brake-holding capacity documented in the planned maintenance system records within the past 12 months?

Safety and Emergency Equipment (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 4 / ISGOTT 6th Ed)

Inspect safety and emergency equipment for operational readiness. The SIRE inspector will physically test fire detection systems, lifeboat release mechanisms, fire pump operation, and crew familiarity with muster stations and emergency procedures.

Are all lifeboats and rescue boats in operational condition, with weekly engine tests conducted and recorded, monthly lowering drills completed and logged, and fall purchase wires within the 30-month replacement requirement (or 5-year refall requirement)?
Is the fixed fire fighting system (CO2, foam, inert gas) for the cargo pump room, engine room, and paint locker in operational condition, with annual service records by a qualified service engineer available, and are all manual and automatic activation controls clearly marked and operable?
Are all crew members aware of and trained on their muster list assignments, including their specific duties during fire, flooding, abandon ship, and oil spill response, and has a ship-specific emergency drill been conducted within the last 7 days (as required by SOLAS III/19 for newly joined crew)?

Engine Room Readiness and Main Machinery (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 5 / ISM Code)

Inspect the engine room for maintenance status, planned maintenance system currency, and chief engineer's knowledge of critical systems. The SIRE inspector conducts a visual engine room inspection assessing cleanliness, oil-water separator operation, and machinery condition.

Is the engine room's planned maintenance system (PMS) current, with no safety-critical items (steering gear tests, emergency generator tests, main engine running hours, fuel oil system filters) overdue, and are PMS records available in the engine room?
Is the oily water separator (OWS) operational with a valid IOPP certificate, the 15-ppm alarm and automatic stopping device in place and tested within the past year, and the oil record book completed accurately for all discharges and operations within the past 12 months?

Crew Knowledge and Competency (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 6 / STCW / TMSA 3)

Assess crew knowledge and competency in tanker-specific operations. SIRE 2.0 Chapter 6 includes questions directed at deck officers, the Chief Officer, and the Master to assess their understanding of tanker safety, ISGOTT, and the vessel's SMS.

Can the officer on watch demonstrate familiarity with the ship's cargo system including: the purpose of each tank valve position in the cargo transfer plan, the gas freeing procedure for the tank being worked on, and the action to take in the event of a cargo spill or overfill?
Has the vessel's TMSA 3 self-assessment been completed for the relevant Key Performance Indicators, submitted to the Tanker Management Self-Assessment system within the past 12 months, and are the KPIs available for review by the vetting inspector if requested?

Related Maritime Checklists

Related Safety Management Checklists

Why Use This OCIMF SIRE Vessel Vetting Inspection Preparation Checklist?

This ocimf sire vessel vetting inspection preparation checklist helps maritime teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for master / chief officer / chief engineer professionals, this checklist covers 16 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per event.

Ensures compliance with OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Vessel Inspection Programme, OCIMF MEG4 Mooring Equipment Guidelines, OCIMF ISGOTT Tanker Safety Guide Petroleum, CDI Chemical Distribution Institute Inspection, TMSA 3 Tanker Management Self-Assessment. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the OCIMF SIRE Vessel Vetting Inspection Preparation Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 16 inspection items across 6 sections: Vessel Certificates, Documentation, and ISM Status (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 1 / ISM Code), Bridge and Navigation Equipment Readiness (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 2 / SOLAS V), Deck and Mooring Equipment (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 3 / OCIMF MEG4), Safety and Emergency Equipment (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 4 / ISGOTT 6th Ed), Engine Room Readiness and Main Machinery (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 5 / ISM Code), Crew Knowledge and Competency (OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Chapter 6 / STCW / TMSA 3). It is designed for maritime operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed per event. Each completion takes approximately 2-3 hours.

Who should use this OCIMF SIRE Vessel Vetting Inspection Preparation Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Master / Chief Officer / Chief Engineer professionals in the maritime industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.