Planned Maintenance Scheme, PMS

(1). PMS is mandatory or not?

A planned maintenance system on ships is mandatory according to the International Safety Management
Code (ISM).

(2). Benefit or reasons for planned maintenance scheme ?

 The most important facet of planned maintenance must be 'preventive maintenance'.
 The old adage 'prevention is better than cure' is extremely important to mariners due to the
isolated nature of the employment and to the lack of immediate repair and spares facilities.
 Good preventive maintenance means that large sums of money are not wasted on emergency
spares, overtime, emergency services such as tugs, delays to the ship, and on operational incidents.
 In general, systematic maintenance should mean fewer breakdowns and repairs.
 Planned maintenance ensures the reliability of equipment, the equipment operates efficiently when
it is required to do so and the ship's staff can rely on it in an emergency.
 A plan ensures that the crew is working to maximum efficiency and working in most weathers
and conditions.
 The plan continually assesses the efficiency of equipment and all aspects of its maintenance.
 A good plan ensures that no areas of the vessel or items of equipment are neglected or overlooked.
 Well-maintained equipment presents fewer hazards to the crew.
 The ship will be ready to undergo surveys at short notice.
 The ship will be up to standard should any snap inspections be conducted by appropriate
authorities.
 Planned maintenance ensures that the rate of deterioration of equipment is continually monitored,
assessed, and to some extent controlled.
 A well-documented plan ensures that new personnel are aware of the maintenance situation.

(3). Categories of PMS ?

(a) Short-term maintenance
(b) Long-term maintenance
(c) Maintenance due to operational requirements (Operational maintenance)

(4). What inspections include in the short-term maintenance?

Short-term maintenance
Weekly inspection and greasing (when possible)
Winches and windlass Oil baths, if any, in winches and windlass, Wheels on steel hatch covers, Door
hinges on mast houses, Ventilation system flaps and ventilators , Cleats on external weathertight doors ,
Anchor securing arrangements, etc…

Fortnightly inspection and greasing

Accommodation ladder and gangway, Lifeboat falls and blocks, Davit pivot points, Fire hydrants and
monitors, Fire hose box hinges, Quick release gear on bridge wing lifebuoys, etc……

Monthly inspection and greasing where necessary

Lifeboat falls for broken strands, CO2 cylinders in gang release system, Fire detection system, Breathing
apparatus and associated equipment, etc ……

(5). What inspections include in the long-term maintenance?

Long-term maintenance
Three-monthly inspection and/or overhaul
All cargo gear, Navigation light connections, Hold ventilation systems, Cargo winches, Strip all mooring
rollers, etc ……..

Page 1 of 4
Yearly
Derust and repaint derricks, End-for-end lifeboat falls, Watertight seals on hatchways, Loosen spare
anchor securing bolts, lubricate all anchor parts and re-secure, etc ……

(6). What inspections include in the operational maintenance?

Operational maintenance
To be carried out when necessary ;
Anchor cable markings, Check mooring ropes and wires before and after use, Pilot ladders and hoists,
gangways, accommodation ladders, and associated equipment before and after use, Check anchors and
cables stowed properly, Test hand and emergency steering arrangements before approaching coasts or
heavy traffic areas, Cargo securing arrangements, etc …..

Page 2 of 4
RISK ASSESSMENT

(1). Risk assessment is mandatory or not?

Risk Assessment is mandatory.
Require by ISM Code and MLC title 4.
Enter into force on 1 July 2010

(2). Difference between hazard and risk?

Hazards is a potential to threaten human life, health, property or the environment (Source of danger).

RISK : includes any possible change of undesirable, adverse consequences to human life, health,
property, or the environment.
Risk is a Combination of the likelihood of an occurrence of a hazardous event or exposure(s) and the
severity of injury or ill health that can be caused by the event or exposure(s).
Definition of risk often simply is:
RISK = (Probability of an accident) x (Losses per accident) Or in more general terms:
RISK = (Probability of event occurring) x (Impact of event occurring)

(3). The Risk Assessment Process?

1. Identify the Hazards
2. Decide on the severity of the harm that could be caused to people or the environment and how
this could arise.
3. Evaluate the risk and decide on any additional control measures required
The level of risk is often evaluated considering the equation below.
Risk = How much harm or loss x Likelihood of that harm or
loss occurring = Severity x Probability
4. Record your findings and implement them
5. Review your assessment and update if necessary

(4). The main elements of the risk assessment ?

(a) classify work activities;
(b) identify hazards and personnel at risk;
(c) identify risk controls;
(d) estimate the risk;
(e) decide the tolerability of the risks;
(f) prepare risk control action plan (if necessary);
(g) review adequacy of action plan;
(h) ensure risk assessment and controls are effective and up to date.

Page 3 of 4
(5). The key elements of the risk assessment ?
Key elements in any risk elements are
(i) identification of the hazard,
(ii) controls measure to be implemented.

(6). The aim of the risk assessment?

The aim is to minimise accidents and ill health on board ship.

Page 4 of 4