Alternative Compliance Scheme

The Alternative Compliance Scheme (ACS) was adopted by Cayman, with the purpose of empowering Cayman’s seven recognised IACS Classification Societies to undertake the majority of Convention and statutory surveys on board our vessels. The original trial was designed to end on 15 June 2005 but has been extended for a further 3-year period.

Following a satisfactory inspection by Cayman, a vessel will then be issued with a Certificate of Inspection (COI) valid for 5 years, a copy of which is also provided to the relevant Class as evidence of the vessel joining the ACS. The validity of the COI is subject to a further satisfactory examination at its mid-term point which is generally done at the time of the intermediate Safety Management Certificate (SMC) verification audit.

Cayman retains responsibility for audits and surveys under the ISM Code, ISPS Code, ILO Convention 178, Safe Manning certification and the approval of equivalencies and exemptions from international Conventions. Whenever possible these will be linked with the COI survey. In general, all other Convention and statutory surveys other than those listed above may be undertaken by Class on our behalf without any pre-authorisation from Cayman.

Conditions of Participation

The Scheme is available to all vessels, other than passenger ships, which trade internationally and to which the principal international Conventions apply. The conditions of participation are as follows -

• The vessel has not been detained within the previous 36 months
• During any Port State Control inspection within the previous 12 months, no inspection report shall have recorded more than 5 deficiencies
• The vessel is classed with one of the 7 Classification Societies recognised by Cayman
• The owner shall permit access by Cayman to any or all records, files, reports, documents and certificates held or issued by Class in respect of the vessel
• The owner or operator shall notify Cayman 1-month in advance of all in-water surveys or dry docking dates.

In order to obtain entry into the Scheme the owner or operator of a qualifying vessel should apply to Cayman for the issuance of a COI giving a date and location where the vessel can be inspected for this Certificate. The inspection will be undertaken in 2 parts.

• The first part will involve a review of all applicable records for the vessel including available Port State Control and Cayman records.
• The second part will involve an examination of the vessel itself and will be comparable to a thorough Port State Control review, which will examine the vessel’s structure and equipment to verify compliance with applicable legislation, assess the proficiency of the crew to deal with shipboard emergencies, and a determination made of the vessel’s suitability for its intended route and service.