Marine surveyor inspecting steel deck structure aboard a commercial vessel

01 / Service category

Independent Audits and Inspections Across the Fleet

Structured audit and inspection programmes that support regulatory compliance, operational assurance and measurable improvement.

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Third Party Audits & Inspections
TMSA Compliance Audits
Navigation Audits
ISM / ISO Audits
ISPS Audits
Energy Audits
OSHAS Audits
CDI
SIRE
RIGHTSHIP
IMCA
CMID
OCIMF

Overview

Audit and inspection programmes only create value when they are carried out by people who have worked the systems being examined. Maritime Expertise deploys marine professionals with seagoing and shore-side management backgrounds, so findings are grounded in how a vessel actually operates rather than in a checklist alone.

We work to recognised industry regimes, including TMSA, SIRE, CDI, RightShip, IMCA and OCIMF, as well as owners' and managers' own internal standards. We scope each engagement around the vessel, trade and objective before arranging attendance.

Scope of work

Documentation and certification review prior to attendance
Opening meeting with vessel and shore management
Physical inspection of decks, machinery spaces and accommodation as applicable
Verification of management system implementation on board
Interviews with officers and ratings on working practice
Review of records: maintenance, drills, training, rest hours, permits
Assessment of navigational and cargo operations where scope requires
Closing meeting with observations and immediate safety concerns raised
Written report with findings, evidence and prioritised recommendations

What we provide

Third party audits and inspections

Independent attendance on behalf of owners, managers, charterers and other stakeholders, with reporting written for decision makers.

Management system audits

ISM, ISO and ISPS audits assessing implementation ashore and on board, not just documentation.

Vetting regime preparation

TMSA, SIRE, CDI and RightShip readiness reviews that identify likely observations before an external inspection.

Navigation and operational audits

Bridge team management, passage planning, watchkeeping practice and navigational equipment in use.

Energy and efficiency audits

Review of consumption, machinery performance and operating practice against efficiency objectives.

Occupational health and safety audits

Safety management practice, permit systems, risk assessment quality and crew engagement.

Frequently asked

What is the difference between an audit and an inspection?: An audit examines whether a management system is implemented and effective; an inspection examines the physical and operational condition of the vessel at a point in time. Most assurance programmes use both, and we frequently combine them in a single attendance.
Can you prepare a vessel for a SIRE or CDI inspection?: Yes. A pre-inspection review identifies the observations an external inspector is likely to raise and gives the crew a realistic period to close them. It is not a rehearsal of answers. The aim is to fix the underlying issue.
Do you audit against an owner's own standards?: Frequently. Many owners and managers maintain internal standards that go beyond regulatory minimums, and we scope the audit against those documents.
How quickly can an attendance be arranged?: It depends on port, visa and access requirements. We confirm realistic timing at scoping rather than committing to a fixed response time.
Who receives the report?: The commissioning party. Reports are confidential and are not shared with third parties without written instruction.
Are findings graded?: Yes. Observations are categorised by significance so that the reader can distinguish an immediate safety concern from a housekeeping item.

Related services

Tell us about the vessel, the scope and the timeline.

We respond with the right marine professional, a defined methodology and clear reporting expectations.

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