Posted:
August 16, 2018
The following is excerpted from an advisory (Advisory to Shipping No. A-28-2018) released August 14 by the Panama Canal Authority. The complete document is available online.
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has revised its requirements for allowing hot work to be performed on board vessels while in waters under its jurisdiction. Among the modifications is the prerequisite that the Marine Chemist issuing the certificate be part of an organization compliant with DGNTI-COPANIT ISO 17020, which is the technical standard that outlines the criteria to be adhered to by organizations that perform inspections in the Republic of Panama.
Another modification is the inclusion of a section with definitions of key terms used throughout the document. The role and responsibilities of the Marine Chemist and the Competent Person are outlined herein.
The prohibitions are now consolidated under one section of the document. Therefore, the following prohibitions are now part of the list:
A provision has been introduced to allow for Exemption Certificates for hot work to be performed on a given structure or part of a vessel when certain conditions are met. Exemption Certificates may be valid for up to 30 days, during which time a Marine Chemist Certificate for the routine jobs listed in the areas designated as safe for hot work will not be required.
Finally, the attached document also explains important aspects of this process, such as the duration of the Marine Chemist Certificate, the role of the Competent Person in maintaining the validity of the certificate, and the ACP's prerogative to audit both parties to ensure proper maintenance of conditions for performing hot work.
The revision to the requirements is attached, and supersedes Section 19 of Notice to Shipping N-01-2018, Vessel Requirements.
Panama Canal Authority revises requirements for hot work performed onboard vessels
The following is excerpted from an advisory (Advisory to Shipping No. A-28-2018) released August 14 by the Panama Canal Authority. The complete document is available online.
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has revised its requirements for allowing hot work to be performed on board vessels while in waters under its jurisdiction. Among the modifications is the prerequisite that the Marine Chemist issuing the certificate be part of an organization compliant with DGNTI-COPANIT ISO 17020, which is the technical standard that outlines the criteria to be adhered to by organizations that perform inspections in the Republic of Panama.
Another modification is the inclusion of a section with definitions of key terms used throughout the document. The role and responsibilities of the Marine Chemist and the Competent Person are outlined herein.
The prohibitions are now consolidated under one section of the document. Therefore, the following prohibitions are now part of the list:
- Performing work beyond the approved scope,
- Moving the vessel to perform work at a site other than the inspection site, and
- Commencing hot work without a Marine Chemist Certificate or the ACP site approval.
A provision has been introduced to allow for Exemption Certificates for hot work to be performed on a given structure or part of a vessel when certain conditions are met. Exemption Certificates may be valid for up to 30 days, during which time a Marine Chemist Certificate for the routine jobs listed in the areas designated as safe for hot work will not be required.
Finally, the attached document also explains important aspects of this process, such as the duration of the Marine Chemist Certificate, the role of the Competent Person in maintaining the validity of the certificate, and the ACP's prerogative to audit both parties to ensure proper maintenance of conditions for performing hot work.
The revision to the requirements is attached, and supersedes Section 19 of Notice to Shipping N-01-2018, Vessel Requirements.