Purpose
The survey is to contribute to a high level of safety on board Danish passenger ships so that it is safe to be carried by them and so that it is possible to rescue everybody in case of an accident.
The purpose of the survey is to verify that the ship has, as a minimum, a technical standard complying with current regulations and the intentions behind the regulations and that the daily work is characterised by safety work and a safety culture enabling the crew to operate the ship safely and act effectively in case of an accident.
Consequently, the shipowner must ensure and the Danish verify through the survey:
- That the ship and equipment is in working order so as to avoid accidents insofar as possible – or alternatively be able to manage them.
- That the crew has knowledge about and is capable of handling worst case scenarios.
- That the crew's health, safety and social conditions are under control.
Annual survey theme
Every year, the Danish Maritime Authority selects a theme related to marine accidents and a theme related to occupational health which will be in focus during the surveys. In the table below, you can see the themes chosen.
| Year |
Marine accident |
Occupational health |
| 2025 |
Engine Room Fires |
Work/Accidents on the Weather Deck |
| 2024 |
Safety during port call |
Workplace assessment / Risk assessment (RA) translated into reality |
| 2023 |
Systems integrity in case of fire |
Working at height and entering enclosed spaces |
| 2022 |
Electric vehicles and cargo securing |
Hours of rest |
| 2021 |
Safety of navigation/bridge resource management |
Mental occupational health; welfare and harassment |
| 2020 |
Collision and man-over-board |
Carcinogenic substances |
| 2019 |
Fire on car deck |
Ergonomics |
| 2018 |
Collision at sea with flooding, listing and evacuation |
Work with hazardous chemicals
|
| 2017 |
Fire in the accommodation (incl. evacuation) |
Jamming injuries |
| 2016 |
Lost steering |
Falls |
| 2015 |
Fire on car deck |
Heavy lifts |
| 2014 |
Collision with 2-room damage |
Work with chemicals |
This year's survey theme
Marine accident - Engine Room Fires
A fire in the engine room of a passenger ship represents a significant safety risk. While fires in engine rooms aboard passenger ships are fortunately relatively rare, evidence shows that the origin of ship fires aboard Danish vessels in recent years is frequently found in the engine room. This is where fuel engines, electrical systems, and other technical components are concentrated, leading to a potentially high risk of fire starting in this area. Insufficient insulation and faults in electrical systems have been identified as contributing factors to the occurrence of engine room fires.
To mitigate this risk, it is crucial first to prevent a fire from occurring. Secondly, it is essential that the ship’s crew is trained to respond effectively if a fire does break out. Fires in engine rooms can disable primary systems, such as the electrical supply, rendering them inoperable. Therefore, onboard training should also account for such scenarios.
The objective of this year’s theme is for the Danish Maritime Authority (SFS), in collaboration with shipping companies and crew members, to ensure that safety measures to prevent fires and limit their spread are in place. Additionally, the crew must be trained in all aspects of effectively combating a potential fire aboard the ship.
As part of this theme, the ship inspector will closely examine the following:
- What is the maintenance condition of the engine room?
- Are hot surfaces properly insulated or shielded?
- Are electrical systems in good condition?
- Is the crew capable of quickly detecting a fire in the engine room?
- Is there an effective preparedness plan for fighting a fire?
- How are fire drills conducted?
- Are fire drills designed in a way that ensures the crew is trained in all aspects of effectively combating a fire and its consequences?
Work Environment – Work/Accidents on the Weather Deck
A data analysis of work-related accidents on weather decks indicates that hand and finger injuries, as well as bone fractures, are the most common types of injuries. The causes of these injuries can be linked to the following:
- Mooring-related incidents
- Falls and balance-related incidents
- Accidents during maintenance work
The work environment theme aims to address the following:
- Whether the crew has received proper instruction through training and review of workplace assessments (APVs) before beginning work.
- Whether procedures have been established for the correct use of tools and technical assessment of equipment, including the identification of tools and machinery to minimize the risk of crushing injuries.
- Whether deck surfaces have been inspected to ensure slip-resistant conditions.
A good workplace assessment reflects a synergy between the implementation of safe work practices and their execution in practice. Regular evaluations should lead to continuous improvements in the onboard working environment.