Alternative Compliance Scheme

March 16 2010

The UK Ship Register (UKSR) is pleased to announce that the Alternative Compliance Scheme (ACS) will continue as a feature of the MCA’s survey and inspection regime.

ACS applies to cargo ships. It allows MCA to retain oversight of the ship, through International Safety Management System (ISM) audits and general inspections, whilst delegating all hardware surveys (for example the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Survey) to those classification societies authorised by the UK.

The scheme has run as a trial since 2003 but following a review of its operation it is now an established feature.

During the trial period the UK has remained near the top of the ‘White List’, an internationally acknowledged published list which ranks, in terms of quality, the best shipping registers derived from number of ship detentions and deficiencies on each flag. There has been no other evidence that the ACS is detrimental to ship safety.

The ACS has reduced overseas survey costs for shipowners and has helped in attracting tonnage to the UK Register.Furthermore it enables MCA to focus its marine surveyor resource on inspection activity through the ISM system and targeted inspections.

At present there are 332 ships under the scheme with a gross tonnage of 11.33m and an average age of 8. This represents 21% of the UK Fleet in terms of ships and 66% in GT.

For a vessel to be eligible and to be considered, the following conditions apply:

The vessel has not been detained within the previous 36 months.
During any port state control inspection within the previous 12 months no inspection report shall have recorded more than 5 deficiencies.
The vessel is classed with one of the Classification Societies authorised by the UK: ABS, BV, DNV, GL, LR, Class NK and RINA
The owner shall permit access by the MCA to any or all records, files, reports, documents and certificates held or issued by the ACS classification society the vessel is classed with.
The owner or operator shall notify the MCA one-month in advance of all in water surveys or dry docking dates.

MGN 345 provides further information.

MSF 4753 is the application to participate in ACS.

Completed applications can be returned to one of the following:

UK Ship Register
Bay 1/25
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Fax: +44 (0)23 8032 9447

e-mail: ukshipregister@mcga.gov.uk