Ship Inspection Report (SIRE) Programme

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SECTION 1
1.1 History of the SIRE Programme
In 1993, OCIMF established a Ship Inspection Report (SIRE) Programme, which enabled OCIMF members to
submit their ship inspection reports to OCIMF for distribution to OCIMF members and certain qualifying non-
OCIMF members.
Participation in the original programme, as either an inspecting OCIMF Member or a programme recipient, was
strictly voluntary and each programme recipient determined independently how to evaluate the information
contained in the reports received from OCIMF.
Under the SIRE Programme, the operator of any ship that is the subject of a report was given a copy of that
report and the opportunity to submit written comments relating to the report, to both the inspecting OCIMF
Member and to OCIMF.
Report recipients accessed the SIRE System Index by computer and this permitted the index to be viewed or
downloaded. Programme recipients could order reports and any matching operator comments from the SIRE
system. Reports and comments were transmitted by facsimile to the programme recipients' pre-registered
facsimile numbers on request.
1.2 Revisions to the Programme
The original SIRE Programme was first revised in 1997 and introduced the means whereby programme recipients
were able to receive reports and any operator comments electronically, as well as by facsimile.
Two major changes were also introduced in the 1997 Revised Programme. These were:
1. A Uniform Vessel Inspection Procedure; and,
2. A Vessel Particular Questionnaire (VPQ) 1
The SIRE Programme was again revised in 2000.
The 2004 revisions made further important changes to the inspection procedure whilst also adding numerous
new vessel types that are inspected under the programme. 2 Collectively, these are referred to herein as
“Vessels”. Subsequent revisions updated the VIQ questions and guidance, but did not add any questions. This
2011 Edition substantially changes the focus of the VIQ to increase the emphasis of the inspection on navigation
procedures and cargo and ballast handling operations. Consequently significant changes have been made in this
edition. In 2013 a further major revision of the VIQ was undertaken.
1 Under the Original 1993 Programme, the inspecting OCIMF Member was free to choose whatever inspection
protocol and report format it desired. In 1997, the Uniform Vessel Inspection Procedure changed this. The
Vessel Particular Questionnaire was a newly developed OCIMF document, also introduced in 1997 and was not
part of the original programme. The Vessel Inspection Questionnaire was further revised in 2000, and the Vessel
Particulars Questionnaire was also revised in 2003 when a Harmonised Vessel Particulars Questionnaire
(HVPQ) was introduced. Updated VIQs were published in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2012.
2 The SIRE Programme was expanded in 2005 to include the inspection of barges carrying petroleum products,
chemicals, or gas, or vessels used in the carriage of packaged petroleum products or gas, or road tankers
carrying the same commodities. Towing vessels that are utilised in the handling of barges carrying the above
listed products may also be inspected under the SIRE Programme. The inspection of these vessels and
associated questionnaires are addressed in separate questionnaires.
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