Answer
A Planned Maintenance System (PMS) is an organized maintenance framework required under Section 10 of the ISM Code (Maintenance of the Ship and Equipment).
- Core Regulatory Requirements (ISM Code Sec 10):
- Inspect machinery at defined intervals.
- Identify equipment/technical systems whose sudden operational failure may result in hazardous situations (Critical Equipment).
- Report non-conformities, defects, and associated cause analysis.
- Promote corrective and preventive action.
- Maintain records of all maintenance tasks, overhauls, and component replacements.
- Key Operational Elements of Class-Approved PMS:
- Class Survey Scheme Integration: Class societies (e.g., IRS, DNV, ClassNK) allow PMS-based machinery survey schemes (Machinery PMS), substituting traditional 5-year open-up surveys with Class-verified maintenance records and condition monitoring parameters.
- Critical Machinery Register: Explicit identification and prioritized maintenance for emergency equipment (Emergency Generator, Emergency Fire Pump, Steering Gear, OWS 15 ppm monitor, Engine Safety Shutdowns).
- Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM): Incorporating predictive diagnostics such as lube oil spectral analysis, vibration monitoring, thermography, and main engine indicator cards/ultrasonic testing.
- Auditability & Traceability: System must be backed up, synchronized with shore management, updated continuously by the Chief Engineer/First Engineer, and available for ISM internal/external audits and Port State Control (PSC) inspections.