Answer
1. What is CSR?The Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) is a mandatory statutory document that provides an unbroken, cumulative historical record of a vessel's identity, ownership, management, flag, classification, and security certification from the date of its construction until its final decommissioning or scrapping.
Statutory Authority: Mandated under SOLAS Chapter XI-1, Regulation 5 (Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Security).
Applicability: All passenger ships and cargo ships of 500 Gross Tonnage (GT) and above engaged on international voyages.
Key Requirement: It must always remain on board the ship for inspection by Port State Control (PSC), Flag State, or audit authorities.
The CSR is issued exclusively by the Flag State Administration (or a Recognized Organization acting directly on its explicit authorization) under whose flag the ship is entitled to fly.
Every CSR document issued is sequentially numbered (e.g., CSR No. 1, CSR No. 2, CSR No. 3), starting from CSR No. 1 when the ship is built.
This sequential numbering continues unbroken throughout the ship's entire life—even across changes of flag, owner, or management.
A complete shipboard CSR File consists of three specific standard forms (as detailed in IMO Assembly Resolution A.959(23)):
| Form | Name | Primary Function / Purpose | Completed / Issued By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form 1 | CSR Document | The official, sequentially numbered certificate containing the 15 mandatory ship particulars (e.g., IMO No., Flag, Owner, ISM Company, Class, ISSC/SMC authorities). | Flag State Administration |
| Form 2 | CSR Amendment Form | Used to record any change/amendment in the ship’s particulars (e.g., change of ship name, owner, ISM company) pending the issue of the updated Form 1. | Master or Company |
| Form 3 | Index of Amendments | A chronological summary log listing every Form 2 attached to the current CSR document to maintain a clean tracking index. | Master |
If the vessel's name is changing, the Master and Company must follow a strict, sequential process to update the CSR file without creating a statutory discrepancy during PSC or Flag State inspections:
Step 1: On the Date the Name Change Takes Effect
Complete Form 2 (Amendment Form): The Master or Company fills out Form 2 detailing the change (e.g., Old Name: M/V Alpha → New Name: M/V Beta).
Update Form 3 (Index of Amendments): The Master logs the date, amendment description, and reference number of the newly filled Form 2 into Form 3.
Attach to Current CSR File: Place the original signed Form 2 and updated Form 3 inside the onboard CSR File, attached directly behind the latest official Form 1.
Step 2: Immediate Reporting
Send a copy of the completed Form 2 immediately to the Flag State Administration for their processing.
Step 3: Interim Compliance
The existing Form 1 + attached Form 2 + updated Form 3 serves as the temporary legal CSR file on board until the Flag Administration issues the new document.
Step 4: Receipt of Revised CSR Document (Form 1)
Within 3 months of receiving the notification, the Flag Administration will issue a new, sequentially numbered Form 1 (e.g., CSR No. 5) reflecting the new ship name.
Upon receipt on board:
Verify: The Master must verify that the sequential number is correct and that the new Form 1 accurately reflects the name change and covers the attached Form 2.
File: File the new Form 1 in chronological order inside the master CSR binder.
Archive: Retain all previous CSR documents (Forms 1, 2, and 3) permanently on board—never destroy or throw away older CSR documents.