Answer
Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP- International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers — 2011 ESP Code.) Mandatory under SOLAS Chapter XI-1, Regulation 2 (IMO ESP Code - Res. A.1049(27)), ESP applies to Bulk Carriers and Oil/Chemical Tankers. It provides a rigorous, systematic inspection regime to detect structural degradation, corrosion, and fatigue before structural failure occurs.
Scope of Intermediate Survey under ESP (Held at 2nd or 3rd Annual Survey)
The exact scope depends on whether it is an oil tanker or bulk carrier, its structural configuration, age, coating condition, previous survey findings and suspect/substantially corroded areas.”
A general scope:-
- Documentation Review: Executive Hull Summary, previous survey reports, tank coating condition logs, thickness measurement reports.
- Overall & Close-up Surveys:
- Tankers: Close-up examination of representative cargo tanks, combination tanks, and dedicated seawater ballast tanks (including pump rooms).
- Bulk Carriers: Close-up inspection of cargo holds, transverse bulkheads, hatch covers/coamings, topside ballast tanks, and double bottom tanks.
- Ultrasonic Thickness (UT) Gauging: Comprehensive gauging of high-stress zones, areas prone to accelerated corrosion, and suspect areas identified in previous reports.
- Tank Pressure Testing: Hydraulic/leak testing of representative cargo and ballast tanks.
- Coating Assessment: Detailed evaluation of protective coatings in ballast tanks (rated Good, Fair, Poor). If rated Poor, annual inspections become mandatory.