BIMCO shares inspections update from OCIMF to its COVID-19 bulletin

Overview

Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) has issued an update to its COVID-19 bulletin, which gives further guidance on Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE)/Offshore Vessel Inspection Database (OVID) inspections.

Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) has issued an update to its COVID-19 bulletin, which gives further guidance on Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE)/Offshore Vessel Inspection Database (OVID) inspections. In the update, OCIMF is extending the availability of ‘live’ reports in the SIRE and OVID programmes to 18 months from its usual 12 months to allow some flexibility in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The full guidance can be found below:

OCIMF Covid-19 Update Bulletin – The availability and use of SIRE/OVID Inspection Reports

Due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19, inspector travel and access to vessels and through terminals to conduct inspections is becoming difficult. Some inspections may not be possible depending on where the vessels are trading, and this will have an impact on the frequency of report submissions to the SIRE and OVID databases. OCIMF encourages report users to apply a pragmatic approach during this period of impact and for operators and inspection submitting members to maintain close communication.

Availability of Inspection Reports 

Inspection reports in the SIRE and OVID programmes currently remain ‘live’ for a period of 12 months from the date that they are published in the system. Individual marine assurance organisations set their own requirements of acceptability for reports, including the age of report.

Further Access to Older Inspection Reports

Following the initial period of 12 months, all reports are currently archived for 12 months during which time they can be accessed if needed. This access is usually provided on a case-by-case basis.
After 24 months the reports are removed from the system and are no longer available.

Extension of Report Availability due to Covid-19

OCIMF is taking a proactive decision to allow marine assurance organisations’ flexibility by extending the availability of ‘live’ reports in the SIRE and OVID programmes to 18 months before being moved to archive.  This change will take some days to arrange, but will be implemented as soon as practicable. We will issue an update when done.

We hope this action will assist both marine assurance organisations and operators during this period of uncertainty.

 

Ashok Srinivasan
in Singapore,

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