Marine pollution (MARPOL) annex II surveyors
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-10)

Guidance concerning the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MARPOL) surveyors

MARPOL Annex II Surveyors

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) Annex II, Regulation 16 requires the government of each party within the Convention to appoint or authorise surveyors for the purposes of exercising control procedures developed by the International Maritime Organisation. The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution from Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk) Regulations 2018 (Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 2018/68, as amended by S.I. 2020/496 and S.I. 2021/818) implements Annex II of MARPOL.

Duties of a MARPOL surveyor

A MARPOL surveyor will only attend if required by a ship owner or his agent. The duties of a MARPOL surveyor are briefly:

To attend the completion of the unloading of all category X substances and verify that the pre-wash has been conducted.

To attend where the unloading of category Y and Z substances cannot be carried out in accordance with the ship’s procedures and arrangements manual.

To attend vessels, such as “offshore supply vessels,” and verify that cargo tanks which have contained noxious liquid substances of pollution category X, Y or Z have been cleaned and the residues and washings have been put ashore to port waste reception facilities in accordance with the procedures and arrangements manual.

To exempt ships in accordance with Regulation 13.4 of MARPOL ANNEX II, exemption for a “pre-wash”, as required. If the pre-wash requirements cannot be met at the discharge port, but will be carried out at the next port, it is to confirmed in writing that a reception facility at the other port is available and is adequate for such purpose.

To endorse each ship’s Cargo NLS record book accordingly.

To provide prompt and accurate returns, using the returns form (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/437199/6_Monthly_Return_Form_23_June_2015.doc) and including nil returns, every six months.

Surveyor operations

When attending a vessel the MARPOL surveyor should be supervised at all times by a responsible ships officer who is involved in cargo operations. The responsible ships officer should be present when any cargo sampling is carried out. He should be fully conversant with all aspects of the ship’s sampling system including the operational characteristics of the valves.

The responsible ships officer should be satisfied that the sampling equipment is compatible with the ship’s sampling points before starting any sampling.

The surveyor should only take samples from a designated sample point, as indicated by the ships officer. The sampling operations are to be conducted in a safe and efficient manner which will preclude any escape of cargo liquid or vapours to the atmosphere or the deck of the ship beyond that required by the sampling process. Any spillage is to be cleaned up immediately.

The Surveyor should not be left unattended whilst taking samples.

Fees for undertaking MARPOL surveyor duties

MARPOL surveyors may charge for their services. The amount of any charges should be fixed by agreement between the ship’s master and surveyor.

Annual registration of MARPOL surveyors

MARPOL surveyors must re-register with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) every year in order for the authorisation to remain valid. It is the responsibility of the employing company to make sure that details of all authorised MARPOL surveyors are sent to the MCA in the period from 1st to 31st October of each year. Failure to do so will result in the removal of the company and associated surveyors from the list of authorised MARPOL surveyors. Re-registration should be undertaken using the re-registration and additional information form (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6537cb0b3099f9000d7f3075/MARPOL_Surveyor_Re-registration_and_Addtional_Information_Forms_.odt).

Updating MARPOL surveyors information

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency should be informed, at the address given at the bottom of this note, of any changes to the MARPOL surveyor list. This includes changes:
- to the primary contact,
- company address details or
- the addition or
- loss of MARPOL surveyors to the company listed.
Companies should not wait until the annual re-registration to inform the MCA of any changes.

MARPOL surveyors must inform the Maritime and Coastguard Agency if they change employer as this requires a new authorisation to be issued. Changes of this kind may be charged at the current hourly rate. If you do not inform the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of any changes like this it will result in MARPOL surveyor authorisation becoming invalid.

Future appointments

Any application for appointment as a MARPOL surveyor should be made to the address shown at the bottom of this page. Upon receipt of an enquiry regarding an application for authorisation the MCA will send costs and details of the information required.

Cargoes, Safety and Pollution PreventionMaritime and Coastguard AgencyBay 2/23Spring Place105, Commercial RoadSouthamptonSO15 1EG

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)