This document provides a summary of a presentation on the OCIMF-SIRE VIQ7/VIQ6 gap analysis. The presentation covers: 1. An introduction to the new VIQ7, which was released in September 2018 and replaces VIQ6. VIQ7 underwent revisions and reduced the total number of questions. 2. What's new in VIQ7, including a shift to evaluating crew competency through questions about officer awareness and familiarity. Many new questions directly ask officers to demonstrate knowledge. 3. The objectives of the presentation, which are to make attendees aware of the history and purpose of SIRE inspections, understand changes in VIQ7, learn inspection preparations and how

1. Welcomes you for attending
Monthly Lecture Meeting,
05-Oct-2018
OCIMF-SIRE
VIQ7/VIQ6 - Gap Analysis
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

2. Applicable for …
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

3. Oil Tankers Chemical Tankers
LPG Tankers LNG Tankers
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

4. Rules / Information
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

5. 1815 Questions Coffee / Tea
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

6. Monthly Lecture Meeting
“OCIMF-SIRE VIQ7/VIQ6 - Gap Analysis”
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

7. Self Introduction
• Name and Rank
• Experience on Ship Type
• Last ship / Last Sailed / Last visit on board
• Experience on Vetting
– No of ships
– Rank
– Any high risk obs
• What is your impression of SIRE Inspections?
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

8. Objectives of the lecture…
At the end of this lecture, you will be aware of -:
• The history and purpose of SIRE Inspection and latest Ver 7.
• New terms related to vetting.
• The necessary preparations during inspection.
• The Knowhow and understanding of the VIQ7 questions.
• Understand the right conduct and approach in dealing with
the inspector.
• Heighten crew’s awareness and enhance crew’s sense of
responsibility to keep the vessel inspection ready at all times.
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

9. Purpose of the lecture ….
Bad image for SIRE
• Why do we need?
• A Botheration
• Busy Schedule
• Nitpicking
• Matter of Master, C/E
• Matter of Ship Manager
• Many documents and
records
The new image
• Will know the background,
history & necessity
• Utilization VIQ7 for prep
• Inspection technique,
preparation
• Trend of observation
• Ship’s team management
• Inspector’s mind/attitude
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

10. Day 1: OCIMF-SIRE VIQ 7
1. Introduction
2. What’s New
3. History and purpose of Vetting Inspection
4. VIQ7 vs VIQ6 – Gap Analysis
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

11. Introduction
 On 20th June 2018, OCIMF announced the release of the seventh
edition of the SIRE Vessel Inspection Questionnaire (VIQ7): 17
September 2018.
 Last edition of VIQ 6 was dated 01st February 2016.
 VIQ7 is applicable for all the inspections which are carried out on or
after 17th Sep 2018..
 This edition has undergone an extensive revision process which has
brought the VIQ up-to-date with respect to changes in legislation
and best practices.
 The SIRE Focus Group, which has led the work on the revision of this
document, has examined the questions to determine whether these
continue to remain relevant and has reduced the overall set of
questions by up to 90 questions.
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

12. Introduction…contd
 The section on Structural Condition in the existing VIQ6 (Chapter 7) has
been reduced and merged with Chapter 2.
 A new chapter (Chapter 7) has been developed to cover Maritime Security
which has 21 new questions covering Policies and Procedures, Equipment
and Cyber Security.
 The section on Mooring (Chapter 9) has been significantly reviewed to
incorporate the revisions and best practices that has been introduced in
the Mooring Equipment Guidelines, Fourth Edition (MEG4).
 The existing chapter on Communications (Chapter 10) has been reduced
and merged with Chapter 4, which is now a section on Navigation and
Communications.
 A set of 10 questions on LNG Bunkering has been added to the section on
Engine and Safety Compartments (Chapter 10). These questions have been
developed in conjunction with advice and guidance from SIGTTO and
SGMF.
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

13. What’s New…
 There is a paradigm shift from an inspection which is based upon ….
 “checking of records” to …
 Checking the “competency of the crew” e.g.
 Foll words have been used like -:
 “Are the deck officers aware…”
 Are the Deck Officers familiar…”
 “…do they understand their responsibilities…”
 “Are deck officers….able to demonstrate satisfactory…”
 “…any limitations, where applicable, understood by the cargo
watch officers and clearly documenmted…”
 “Are engineers aware…”
 Etc. etc.
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

14. What’s New…
 There are many VIQ questions we consider “Competence” questions
whereby inspectors are asking Officers and crew to demonstrate
their knowledge of various procedures, operations and use of
equipment etc. e.g.
VIQ7 4.5 Are the deck officers’ familiar with the operators Under
Keel Clearance policy, able to demonstrate satisfactory UKC
calculations for the last voyage and is the policy comprehensive?
VIQ7 10.16 Are engineers aware of the testing requirements and
able to demonstrate familiarity with the procedure for testing of
emergency equipment?
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

15. What’s New…
 The terms like “Officers”, “Deck Officers”, “Cargo Watch Officers”,
“engineers”, “personnel” etc. are used.
 The latest edition of the VIQ has introduced many “competence”
questions whereby the Inspector will verify awareness and
familiarity of any Officer and crew member on their knowledge and
understanding of many vessel operations and procedures
 Such questions are directed to those Officers/personnel with direct
responsibility or involved in the operation/process being examined.
 As an example – a cargo operation which in general involves all
Deck Officers, and at times on certain vessels an Engineering Officer
or Gas Engineer, all of these Officers involved should be expected to
be questioned and thus have knowledge of the VIQ question being
asked.
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

16. What’s New…
 There are also concerns over the use of the terms “aware of” and
“familiar with”.
 The definitions are clearly different and Inspectors would expect
Officers and crew to demonstrate clear answers to such questions.
 It is easy for an Inspector to identify a lack of knowledge – as an
example if an Officer is asked to demonstrate awareness of the
procedures for the use of portable gas detectors – it is easy for the
Officer to point out the instruments, procedures and guidance in
place – but if then asked to demonstrate and explain how to
calibrate such instruments and he is unable to do this, he is clearly
not familiar with the process, this would very obviously identify a
lack of knowledge and thus raise an observation.
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

17. What’s New…
 This principle can be applied for all questions, e.g. you are
aware of the emergency generator operation but..
 can you demonstrate how to start it?
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg

18. What’s New…
 ROVIQ has changed….
• Step 1. Approaching and boarding the vessel
• 11.1. Is the general condition, visual appearance and cleanliness of the hull satisfactory. (Yes/No/Not Seen/Not Applicable)
• 11.2. Are hull markings clearly indicated and correctly placed? (Yes/No/Not Seen/Not Applicable)
• 9.5. Do all mooring lines and where fitted, mooring tails, meet Industry guidelines? (Yes/No/Not Seen/Not Applicable)
• 9.8. Are moorings satisfactorily deployed and tended? (Yes/No/Not Seen/Not Applicable)
• 5.47. Is the vessel provided with a safe means of access and are all available means of access (gangway / accommodation
ladder / pilot ladder / transfer basket) in good order and well maintained? (Yes/No/Not Seen/Not Applicable)
• 5.5. Are the crew aware of the requirements for wearing personal protective equipment such as boiler suits, safety footwear,
eye and ear protection,
• safety harnesses, respiratory and chemical protective equipment? (Yes/No/Not Seen/Not Applicable)
• 5.11. Is all loose gear on deck, machinery rooms, stores and in internal spaces properly secured? (Yes/No/Not Seen/Not
Applicable)
• 5.37. Are the crew aware of the location and use of the International Shore Connection, is it readily available externally, is a
fire control plan exhibited within the accommodation, also a copy available externally and equipment correctly marked on
the plan? (Yes/No/Not Seen/Not Applicable)
• 9.1. Are certificates available for all mooring lines and wires? (Yes/No/Not Seen/Not Applicable)
• And so on…
• Step 2. Documentation
• 9.5. Do all mooring lines and where fitted, mooring tails, meet Industry guidelines? (Yes/No/Not Seen/Not Applicable)
• 1.1. Name of the vessel: (Text)
• And so on…
The Company of Master Mariners of India
(CMMI)
Prepared By -: Capt. Neeraj Garg