Bermuda also conduct the following
plan reviews and approvals:

Stability and lightship plan review of passenger ships
DMLC II
Security plan
Fire Control plan
SOPEP/SMPEP

For existing ships that transfer from another flag to Bermuda the process is very similar to that for newbuilding projects. Interim ISM, ISPS and MLC audits would be addressed on a case by case basis.

Bermuda is a leading passenger ship Flag and one of the earliest adopters with experience of the SOLAS Safe Return to Port (SRtP) requirements. BSMA do do not delegate completion of the annual Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (PSSC) survey to Classification Societies, choosing instead to conduct this work using highly trained and experienced Bermuda surveyors. This allows BSMA to develop a strong relationship with the vessel managers and the ships crew, which provides depth of understanding and allows for greater support in service. As the Flag State BSMA is able to make decisions directly that delegated Class Societies cannot, resulting in a smoother and more rapid response.

Bermuda also conduct the required plan review and survey for passenger ships with itineraries that require a Polar Ship Certificate. The survey is completed during the same attendance as the PSSC and the plan review is typically completed within a week.

Initial passenger ship stability approval is conducted at delivery by the vessel’s Classification Society, however subsequent passenger ship lightship surveys and incline tests are completed by Bermuda surveyors. This has the benefit of reduced fees and a much faster approval time.

The procedures for survey and certification for yachts are the same as they are for ships.

Commercial Yachts over 500 GT

Commercial Yachts of over 500 GT will normally be issued with the same SOLAS and MARPOL certification as cargo ships. The Safety Equipment Certificate and Loadline Certificate will be annotated to include a comment indicating compliance with the relevant Large Yacht Code.
These have all been notified to the IMO by the UK and accepted as informed equivalent to SOLAS.

Passenger Yachts (More than 12 Passengers)

Passenger yachts are a ship type in which Bermuda has experience from plan approval and construction to in service support.

Passenger Yachts will be issued with a Certificate of Compliance to the PYC as well and SOLAS passenger ship certificate and MARPOL certification.

Large Commercial Yachts more than 24M (Less than 12 Passengers)

Large commercial yachts will be issued with a Certificate of Compliance to the Large Yacht Code, in addition if their tonnage is sufficient to bring into force the various conventions they will be issued with some combination of Safety Equipment, Safety Construction, Safety Radio and MARPOL as applicable.

Commercial Yachts of less than 24M

The commercial yachts will be assessed to UK MGN 280 and certificated as specified in this document.
A Bermuda surveyor will attend for completion of the ISM, ISPS and MLC audits, and the procedure for these is the same as for cargo ships. In cases where vessels are voluntarily holding these certifications they will be treated in the same manner as if the certificates were mandatory.

Ensuring the continued compliance of all Bermuda registered ships with the requirements of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code is the responsibility of the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority and is not routinely delegated to Recognised Organisations.

All ships are required to have a Safety Management System (SMS) and this must be verified against the requirements of the ISM code by Bermuda. This is straightforward and managers may send their plans to the BSMA here.

Bermuda policy is for the ISM SMC (Ship) and ISM DOC (Office) interim, initial, intermediate and renewal verifications to be completed by Bermuda auditors wherever possible. These are normally completed in conjunction with the ISPS and MLC audits which are harmonised to reduce the number of ship attendances required.

Bermuda will consider delegating completion of the interim audits to the vessel’s Classification Society for vessel deliveries and ships transferring into the Bermuda register. Delegation of the interim DOC audit will be considered on a case by case basis for new ship managers.

Applications for ship and office audits should be made in good time and Bermuda will always work closely with managers to schedule audits and inspections to suit the ship’s schedule and to be as cost efficient as possible.

Please send applications for audits together with the ship’s known or anticipated itinerary here.

Ensuring the continued compliance of all Bermuda registered ships with the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code is the responsibility of the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority and is not routinely delegated to Recognised Organisations.

All ships are required to have a Ship Security Plan (SSP) and this must be approved by Bermuda. Obtaining approval is straightforward and managers may send their plans here.

After submission to Bermuda one of the surveyors will review the SSP and once it has been verified as complying with the requirements of the ISPS Code the front cover, amendments page and any other appropriate pages will be printed, signed and stamped as evidence of the approval. These will also be accompanied by a formal letter of approval and all documents will be returned electronically. Once received these should be printed and inserted into the SSP.

Bermuda policy is for the ISPS interim, initial, intermediate and renewal verifications to be completed by Bermuda auditors wherever possible. These are normally completed in conjunction with the ISM and MLC audits which are harmonised to reduce the number of ship attendances required.

Bermuda will consider delegating completion of the interim audits to the vessel’s Classification Society for vessel deliveries and ships transferring into the Bermuda register.
Applications for audits should be made in good time and Bermuda will always work closely with managers to schedule audits and inspections to suit the ship’s schedule and to be as cost efficient as possible.

Please send applications for audits together with the ship’s known or anticipated itinerary here.

Ensuring the continued compliance of all Bermuda registered ships with the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) is the responsibility of the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority and is not routinely delegated to Recognised Organisations.

All ships are required to have a Declaration of Maritime Labour Convention Part II (DMLC II) which lists the measures by which the company will meet Bermuda’s requirements, which are laid out in the Declaration of Maritime Labour Convention Part I (DMLC I).

DMLC II’s must be approved by Bermuda and can be submitted for review here.

Bermuda policy is for the MLC interim, initial, intermediate and renewal verifications to be completed by Bermuda inspectors wherever possible. These are normally completed in conjunction with the ISM and ISPS audits which are harmonised to reduce the number of ship attendances required.

Bermuda will consider delegating completion of the interim inspections to the vessel’s Classification Society for vessel deliveries and ships transferring into the Bermuda register.

Applications for inspections should be made in good time and Bermuda will always work closely with managers to schedule audits and inspections to suit the ship’s schedule and to be as cost efficient as possible.

Please send applications for audits together with the ship’s known or anticipated itinerary here.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) using the COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system and fitted aboard Bermuda ships are registered directly with the Bermuda Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC Bermuda) within the Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre.

RCC Bermuda is manned 24 hours per day and can provide assistance with beacon programming as well as final beacon registration.

The Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre (RCC Bermuda) Duty Officer can be contacted by the following means:

Telephone +1 441 297 1010 | EMAIL

In addition to registering new EPIRBs, changes in programming to existing beacons carried onboard should be notified to the RCC.

The registration of a new beacon can be completed via the Bermuda Maritime Operations website.