A certificate is proof that the vessel was found upon inspection
to meet applicable standards. Certificates are issued for a
specific time period, sometimes with requirements for periodical
surveys. The certificate is an important document that must always
be available onboard and that can be checked at inspections, port
state controls, calls in port, etc.
The Swedish Transport Agency issues certificates for Swedish
vessels on national or international voyages. Formal agreements
with five major international classification societies (American
Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, Det Norske Veritas,
Germanischer Lloyd and Lloyd’s Register) gives them the right
to issue certificates on behalf of the Maritime Safety Inspectorate
within certain areas.
The basic national safety certificates are defined in the
Swedish Ship Safety Act 2003:364 as follows:
Trade Certificate: Proof that a vessel was
found seaworthy when surveyed.
Passenger Ship Safety Certificate: Proof that a
vessel was found suitable to carry passengers when surveyed and
states the maximum permitted number of passengers the vessel may
carry.
Load Line Certificate: Proof that the
vessel’s freeboard has been established upon survey and that
load lines have been marked correctly and permanently.
Safety Management Certificate: Proof that the
vessel’s safety management organisation was found in
compliance with the shipping company’s approved safety
management organisation.
Document of Compliance on Safety Management:
Proof that the shipping company’s safety management
organisation has been approved upon survey of the shipping
company.
There are also a number of more or less specialised certificates
for various types of vessels and equipment.