Survey & Certification: Alternative Fees Scheme

Owners of Isle of Man ships have an option to enter their ships in a special Alternative Fees Scheme (AFS). This is an arrangement which allows owners and managers to budget accurately for survey and audit costs. The Ship Registry believes that predictable and reasonable costs are a crucial advantage for owners and managers.

Owners and managers who opt for this scheme pay a fixed monthly subscription to the Ship Registry and in return the Ship Registry appoints the ship's Classification Society to undertake routine statutory surveys while the Ship Registry undertakes to attend and complete ISM audits, ILO inspections, ISPS vertifications and general inspections at the statutory intervals. The attendance of the Isle of Man surveyor for these visits is at no further cost for the owner or manager.

Payment may be made either monthly, quarterly or annually in advance with the current fee level set at £187 per month per vessel.

Entry to the scheme can be immediate for a ship transferring to the Isle of Man flag (provided that she has a full term SMC) or from the date of the next survey by an Isle of Man surveyor for existing Isle of Man ships.

Once a ship is entered in the scheme she will receive a visit by an Isle of Man surveyor every 2 ½ years at no additional cost whatsoever, either for survey time, administrative fees, travel or accommodation. The visit will take place at a time and place agreed with the owner, wherever the ship may be. While the Isle of Man surveyor is there they will:

• Complete an ISM audit (either renewal or intermediate as necessary)
• Complete an ILO178 inspection of crew welfare and working conditions and issue a certificate
• Complete a general inspection
• Complete a security verification audit and issue or renew the ships International Security Certificate

The attending surveyor will also take the time to brief the ship's staff on current and forthcoming changes and provide advice on any aspects of the regulatory regime that are helpful.

For every ship which is participating in the scheme the Ship Registry will appoint the ship's Classification Society to conduct all statutory surveys. These surveys may then be arranged between the owner and Class to their mutual benefit without reference to the Ship Registry.

While a ship in the scheme, new statutory certificates and similar ship’s documentation will be issued at no further charge. STCW endorsement certificates recognising foreign officer’s certificates are not included in the scheme.

The Ship Registry undertakes to maintain the standard fee unchanged as long as possible, but where international air travel costs, or other costs increase, a change to the monthly fee may become necessary. Any changes will be notified well in advance. The scheme remains optional, however, and an owner may leave the scheme at any time although fees already paid are not refundable.

This scheme is intended to be a flexible one with real benefits for owners and managers as well as for the crews and for the Ship Registry. We feel it is the “Right Way" to approach ship survey and inspection.

N.B. If a ship's ISM system changes, either at registry or at a later date such that a new Document of Compliance (DOC) is required and an interim SMC has to be issued, the costs of the audit for the ISM are additional to the scheme.