New inspection regime for Registry

Raft of ship safety audits outsourced

The Isle of Man Ship Registry is plotting a new course, with an overhaul of its ship inspection regime. 

Since its inception, the Registry has dispatched its own surveyors to conduct inspections on more than 400 vessels in the Manx-flagged fleet.

But the fleet has grown in size and scope, and coverage in limited time windows has become more difficult.

From 1 April, audits on safety management, ship security and maritime labour convention will be in the hands of the ship's Classification Societies, known as Class.

That's in addition to marine pollution, safety management and radio inspections it already carries out on behalf of the Manx Registry. 

It will see the outsourcing of a crucial function to a specialist organisation with 200 offices worldwide.

The Registry's own surveyors will begin a new general inspection regime. 

Director Dick Welsh has confirmed the Registry will still bear responsibility for the checks, and oversee the Classification Society's work.

He said it's a different way of monitoring the quality of the fleet: