Committed to keeping your vessels operational and maximising fleet performance

The Bahamas Maritime Authority’s Inspections and Surveys Department is primarily responsible for ensuring that registered ships are in compliance with national legislation and all statutory requirements set out in the international Conventions and Codes to which The Bahamas is a party.

Statutory surveys and certification are carried out by recognised organisations on our behalf but we retain an overview of all statutory certification issued. Our Inspections and Surveys Department therefore approves all exemptions from statutory requirements, as well as proposals for equivalent arrangements. In addition, we operate an annual inspection programme so that we can verify that ships are managed and maintained in accordance with the relevant requirements and we can also check that surveys are being carried out effectively by the recognised organisations.

The department reviews all ships proposed for registration to ensure that they are in satisfactory condition and acceptable for registration.

Deficiencies found on ships during Port State and Flag State inspections are rigorously followed up by our Inspectors. Our aim is to deal quickly and effectively with all parties involved so that each case is resolved as speedily as possible and our vessels can continue their business in full compliance with all statutory requirements.

Our team is often called upon to give advice and help to our recognised organisations, surveyors and inspectors in the field who seek clarification about regulations or alternative arrangements in place. We pride ourselves on providing prompt advice and help on statutory matters.

Exciting new projects and developments in the shipping industry form an increasing part of our work. Many of today’s new build ships have advanced features which are not fully addressed by existing legislation. As a result we are frequently consulted on various matters regarding the application of statutory requirements. Such matters often require extensive research and discussion, both internally and with Classification Societies and Shipowners.

Because of our specific technical expertise, our team plays an important role at IMO, participating in various working groups which in turn contribute to shaping global shipping policy. In addition, we are available to advise on the technical aspects related to maritime safety investigations, whenever requested to do so by the Investigations Department.

Documents issued by the department provide advice, clarification and interpretation of statutory requirements and can be found in the “Notices and Alerts” and “Downloads” section.

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Bahamas Recognised Organisations

All eleven IACS Classification Societies are authorised to carry out statutory certification and services for ships registered in The Bahamas and Companies operating Bahamian ships.

ISPS Security Level: LEVEL ONE

Contact

Contact a member of our Inspections & Surveys Department for assistance.

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7562 1300
Email: [email protected]

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Please contact the BMA Emergency Response Officer at:
Phone: +44 20 3869 8748

If the Duty Officer is not available or does not return your call in 15 minutes:
Emergency Email: [email protected]