Answer
Vetting is a commercial risk-assessment process used by charterers, oil majors, terminals and cargo interests to decide whether a particular vessel/operator is acceptable for their business.
It is not a statutory survey and it is not a Class survey. A vessel can have valid statutory/class certificates and still fail a charterer’s vetting criteria.
What is checked during vetting?
Typical areas are:
- Statutory/Class status and Conditions of Class
- PSC history and detentions
- Previous incidents/casualties
- Machinery and structural condition
- Cargo/ballast operations
- Navigation and mooring
- ISM/SMS implementation
- Crew competence and familiarisation
- Planned maintenance
- Pollution-prevention arrangements
- Emergency preparedness
- Company/DOC-holder performance
- Previous inspection observations and their close-out
Under SIRE 2.0, the inspection is increasingly risk- and human-factor based rather than simply a checklist. Questions can be Core, Rotational, Campaign or Conditional, and inspectors may identify a concern associated with hardware, process or human performance.
Inspector Observation Assessment (SIRE 2.0 Framework)
Under OCIMF's digital SIRE 2.0 framework, every inspection uses a dynamic, algorithmically compiled questionnaire (CVIQ). Findings are graded and categorized across three distinct dimensions:
Hardware (Physical State): Deficiencies related to machinery, structural integrity, hull, or safety equipment.
Process (SMS & Procedures): Non-conformities with the vessel’s Safety Management System, statutory regulations, or operational guidelines.
Human Factors (Competency & Behavior): Direct observations of crew behavior, procedural adherence, and Performance Influencing Factors (PIFs) (e.g., fatigue, communication gaps, situational awareness).
Nature of Observations Raised: When an inspector identifies a negative issue, it is categorized as a Negative Observation in the report and detailed via:
Subject of Concern: The specific equipment, procedure, or action involved.
Nature of Concern: Detailed factual description of why it failed (hardware fault, lack of crew knowledge, or process gap).
Does SIRE 2.0 have a grading system?
SIRE 2.0 itself does NOT give the vessel a simple numerical grade such as 1–5 or A/B/C. The SIRE inspection produces an inspection report containing observations and supporting information. The individual charterer/oil major then applies its own vetting criteria and decides whether the vessel is acceptable.