IMCA Marine Division

Publication Details

Common Marine Inspection Document

In the past, clients and prospective clients have requested individual audits of vessels that they wished to contract. These audits can be both time-consuming and expensive; and many operators were struggling with the demands placed upon them. The Common Marine Inspection Document (CMID) aims to reduce the number of audits carried out on individual marine vessels through the adoption of a common auditing standard for the offshore industry.

A competent and independent third party should complete the audit, enabling subsequent clients or prospective clients to consider their results rather than simply requiring full re-inspections.

As a 'living' document, the CMID can be kept updated onboard, so that the time required for an audit can be reduced.

The CMID is regularly reviewed and updated in the light of regulatory and technical developments. It has been written specifically with a world-wide focus, reflecting its global applicability and use by contractors and clients throughout the offshore industry. The latest (2007) revision includes an enhanced supplement addressing seismic vessels as well as minor corrections to references in the main text.

The document commences with an extensive set of definitions and abbreviations, an explanation of the inspection process and the report summary and distribution list. There then follows a section of generic inspection sheets and a further section of dedicated to specialist vessel inspection. These contain the following chapters:

Generic Section

• Previous inspections
• Vessel particulars
• Certification and documentation
• Crew management
• Bridge, navigation and communications equipment
• Safety management
• Pollution prevention
• Structural condition
• Life saving appliances
• Fire fighting
• Mooring
• Machinery spaces and plant (including ballast systems)
• General appearance and condition (including accommodation, public rooms, galley)
• Hazards - slips, trips and falls

Specialist Vessel Supplements

• Dynamic positioning (DP) vessel supplement
• Anchor handling vessel (AHV) supplement
• Offshore supply vessel (OSV) supplement
• Standby vessel (SBV) supplement
• Seismic vessel supplement
• Diving vessel supplement
• Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) vessel supplement
• Helicopters supplement

Guidance on Use of the CMID

IMCA M 167 provides a worked example which gives full guidance on use of the CMID, including notes to assist auditors in completing the document.

The guidance also identifies sections for which vessel personnel can prepare by assembling appropriate documentation prior to the auditor's arrival.

CMID on CD

The CD version of the CMID now also includes the worked example, providing both documents on a single CD for the convenience of auditors and vessel crews. The electronic document has also been enhanced in the light of feedback from users of previous versions.