Inspection des installations de gouverne

According to (European) regulations, mechanically driven steering gear must be inspected by an expert at least once every three years. Since 2007, IVR, in collaboration with affiliated steering gear manufacturers, has developed a harmonized inspection checklist to ensure that all inspections are conducted to the same high standard. If the certificate is due for renewal, the skipper/owner must contact an affiliated steering gear manufacturer directly. Once the inspection of the steering gear has been completed, the completed verification checklist is sent to IVR. If all requirements on the verification checklist are met, IVR issues a certificate. This certificate is sent to the steering gear manufacturer. The manufacturer is responsible for providing the certificate to the shipowner or the vessel.

To continue to guarantee the quality of the steering gear inspections, IVR conducts biennial audits of the affiliated companies and regularly organizes evaluation sessions and courses for the parties involved.

The European Standard laying down the technical requirements for inland navigation vessels (ES-TRIN) stipulates in article 6.09 that mechanically driven steering gear must be inspected by a qualified expert at least once every three years, and in the following cases: before being put into service, following a defect, and following any modification or repair. Find all the applicable provisions here.

Request by the owner for an inspection of the steering gear to be carried out by a manufacturer affiliated with the IVR.

Carrying out a comprehensive inspection of the steering gear in accordance with the applicable regulations.

The manufacturer submits the verification checklist to the IVR, together with an application for a certificate.

Check of the verification checklist and vessel/owner details by IVR.

If all criteria are met, an IVR certificate will be sent.

 

No infringement on the existing cooperation/relationship between ship owner and steering gear manufacturer.

An “Open System”: Any steering gear manufacturer/supplier can join if the company meets the set criteria.

The ship owner receives a high-quality and reliable inspection and therefore greater certainty that his/her steering gear is demonstrably in good condition and meets the set requirements.

The ship owner knows that the steering gear inspector is audited every two years by an independent and neutral organisation.

The ship owner knows that the certificate is issued by an independent and neutral organisation.

In this way, the system contributes to safer and less prone to damage inland navigation.

Any steering gear manufacturer or repair company can register with IVR as an inspection body. To be approved by IVR, the company must meet the specified quality criteria. These quality criteria, which were drawn up in consultation with steering gear inspection companies, include:

• Admission/continuation audit (once every 2 years)
• Organization and technology
• Staff qualifications, training, etc.
• Administrative requirements
• Commercial

Affiliated companies are listed on the IVR website with their logo and websitelink.

The company must meet the specified criteria. This is verified every two years by IVR through an audit carried out at the company’s site.

If the specified criteria are not met, the company will be given the opportunity to rectify these shortcomings within a period of up to two months set by IVR. If the criteria are still not met following a re-audit, the company will be disqualified as an IVR steering gear inspection company.

Working in accordance with the agreed quality criteria, checklist and procedures guarantees the quality of the steering gear manufacturers’ performance of these inspection activities.

The system developed is a so-called ‘Open System’. This means that any steering gear manufacturer or supplier may register and make use of this system, provided the company meets the specified quality criteria.