PCG Guidelines on Vessel Plan Approvals

Purpose and coverage of plans

The circular prescribes guidelines and procedures for the processing and approval of Shipas plans, admeasurements/readmeasurements, stability, loadlines, and passenger accommodation plans of Philippine registered vessels.
The scope covers submission, review, approval, issuance, return of results, and related surveys for the following:
- Shipas Plans.
- Admeasurements/Readmeasurements.
- Inclining Experiments and Certificates of Stability.
- Loadlines.
- Passenger Accommodation Plans.
The procedures apply through the Coast Guard organizational chain involving CMSO, CCGD/CCGS, and CPCG.

General approval and return of documents

All plans, documents, and certificates within the circular’s scope are approved in the name of CPCG by the Commander, Maritime Safety Office (CMSO) or the Commander, Coast Guard District/Station (CCGD/CCGS), depending on the case under the circular.
Approved plans are returned to the shipowner through the concerned CGD/CGS.
If a Shipas plan is approved, file copies are retained with:
- the Maritime Safety Office, and
- the Coast Guard District.
If a Shipas plan is disapproved, all three copies are returned to the shipowner.
Reviews and approvals for Shipas plans include printed names and signatures showing a review/recommendation/approval chain on the face of the plans.

Shipas plan submission and approval

A shipowner/builder must submit Shipas plans in triplicate copies duly signed and sealed by a registered Naval Architect and Marine Engineer, with Electrical Plans signed and sealed by a Licensed Professional Electrical Engineer.
Shipas plans are submitted to the CMSO for approval through the CCGS and CCGD having jurisdiction over the ship repair or construction facility where the vessel is intended for construction.
If the vessel is acquired abroad, Shipas plans are submitted through the CCGS/CCGD having jurisdiction of the vessel’s intended homeport.
When convenient, the shipowner/builder may submit Shipas plans directly to CMSO.
When Shipas plans are submitted to the CCGS, the CCGS forwards them to the CCGD having jurisdiction for submission to the CMSO.
When the CCGD is satisfied as to completeness, it forwards the plans to the CMSO for approval on behalf of CPCG.
The NAED and a qualified Maritime Safety Engineer of the Maritime Safety Office review Shipas plans under existing rules and regulations, and the plans must bear designated printed signatures under headings:
- “Reviewed by” (Naval Architect and Engineering Division),
- “Recommended by” (Chief Naval Architect and Engineering Division), and
- “Approved for the Commandant, PCG” (CMSO).
Upon approval or disapproval, Shipas plans are returned to the shipowner through the CGD/CGS concerned, with retention rules applying if approved.
Any CGS/CCD with assigned Maritime Safety Engineer may undertake approval of Shipas plans for vessels whose estimated gross tonnage does not exceed 15 gross tons, using tonnage determined by either the Rake-Rake or Coefficient Method accounting for the vessel’s superstructure or such enclosed spaces above the tonnage deck.
For a vessel of open deck type whose estimated gross tonnage does not exceed 15 gross tons and will not engage in coastwise trade, the owner may be required to submit only a sketch or skeleton plan as prescribed by the Maritime Safety Office.
The assigned Maritime Safety Engineer conducts required Construction Survey and Verification to ensure construction/alteration conforms to approved plans and regulations.
Construction survey for vessels over 250 gross tons is conducted by qualified personnel of NAED, MSO, and the Construction Survey Report is forwarded to CMSO for appropriate action/information.

Admeasurement, ITC, and tonnage certification

Shipowners or builders apply for admeasurement/readmeasurement to the CCGD/CCGS with jurisdiction over the vessel.
When more convenient, the application may be submitted directly to CMSO, and the CMSO must inform the CCGD/CCGS concerned of the action taken.
Admeasurement/readmeasurement is performed by NAED, MSO.
If a licensed Naval Architect and Marine Engineer or a qualified Maritime Safety Engineer is assigned to the CGD/CCGS with jurisdiction, admeasurement/readmeasurement may be performed at that level for vessels of 250 gross tons or less.
If a CGS has no assigned qualified Maritime Safety Engineer but has enlisted personnel (at least a Petty Officer) qualified to conduct admeasurement, the station may perform that function for vessels of 15 gross tons or less.
For vessels admeasured/readmeasured at the CGD/CCGS level, a file copy of the final calculation of gross tonnage and net tonnage and the Certificate of Admeasurement must be furnished to MSO within ten calendar days after release of the Certificate.
MSO issues the International Tonnage Certificate (ITC) to a Philippine registered vessel that will engage in international trade under the International Convention on Tonnage measurement of Ships, 1969.

Stability via inclining experiments

A shipowner/builder applies for supervision in the conduct of the Inclining Experiment to the CGD/CCGS with jurisdiction.
When more convenient and expeditious, the application may be filed directly with MSO.
The Inclining Experiment must be conducted by qualified persons or entities authorized by law under supervision of a licensed Naval Architect and Marine Engineer assigned with MSO or CGD.
Supervision for vessels of 65 feet and below may be performed by a qualified Maritime Safety Engineer.
Data recorded in the PCG Inclining Experiment Data Form, together with the trim and stability calculation (prepared in three copies), must be signed and sealed by the Naval Architect and Marine Engineer who conducted the stability test.
The supervisor’s name and signature must be reflected in the data set: the name of the PCG Naval Architect/Maritime Safety Engineer who supervised must be printed, and the supervisor’s signature must be duly affixed.
All data and calculations relative to the Inclining Experiment must be forwarded to CMSO for review, approval, and issuance of the Certificate of Stability.

Loadline certificate and annual endorsement

The CCGD is responsible and vested with authority for the administration and enforcement of the loadline regulations.
Every ship requiring a Load Lines Certificate must be periodically inspected in accordance with the International Conference on Load Lines, 1966.
The owner must apply in writing to the Assigning Authority (identified by HPCG Memorandum-Circular No. 8 dated 16 November 1972) for assignment/certification/renewal of Loadline Certificates.
For vessels of Philippine registry, any competent entity or persons designated by the Government may be appointed as Assigning Authority to:
- assign loadline, and
- determine compliance with requirements on position and manner of marking.
When requirements are complied with, the Assigning Authority issues a Loadline Certificate, certifying veracity of the marks under its own hand and seal, and thereafter renews the certificate.
A Loadline Certificate is not issued until:
- loadline marks have been verified, and
- copies of the certificate together with a summary of data used are approved by the CCGD having jurisdiction, which retains a duplicate copy.
Another copy is furnished for filing at MSO within ten calendar days after the date of release of the certificate.
A Loadline Certificate is valid and effective only if it is endorsed annually by a PCG Accredited Assigning Authority (including a recognized Classification Society) after a loadline survey is completed.

Passenger accommodation plan approvals

A Passenger Accommodation Plan must be submitted in triplicate copies, duly signed and sealed by a registered Naval Architect and Marine Engineer, to CMSO through the CCGD/CCGS having jurisdiction.
When convenient, the shipowner/builder may submit directly to CMSO.
During construction/alteration/repair of vessels 250 GT and below, inspection and survey are conducted by the Maritime Safety Engineer of the CGD with jurisdiction.
For vessels above 250 GT, inspection and survey are conducted by the Naval Architect of MSO to ensure the accommodation plan is followed as approved.
The inspector must have the inspection record appearing on the Accommodation Plan under “Verified by”, showing the inspector’s name, signature, and date.
After CMSO approval, two copies of the Passenger Accommodation Plan are returned to the CGD having jurisdiction:
- one original copy is issued to the shipowner/builder for posting in a conspicuous place aboard the vessel for viewing by the riding public, and
- the other copy is kept as reference file at the CGD/CCS concerned.
For newly constructed vessels and vessels acquired and built within ten years or more, approval requires submission of:
- (1) all plans and drawings in accordance with Annex A,
- (2) Inclining Experiment with trim and stability calculations at different loading conditions.

Annex A: Required Shipas plans

Plans must be submitted and approved before work is commenced for every vessel to be built, including plans showing the general arrangement and details of principal hull structure, including:
- design draft, and
- intended design speed.
General plans for review include specific sets by vessel gross tonnage category.
For new construction:
- For vessels below 15 Gross Tons, required items include:
  - General Arrangement,
  - Construction Plan,
  - Midship Section and Watertight Bulkhead,
  - Lines drawing and Table of Offsets,
  - Hydrostatic Curves,
  - Inclining Experiment with trim and stability Calculations,
  - Passenger Accommodation Plan.
- For passenger vessel additional requirement includes (CWL) in the Midship Section and Watertight Bulkhead listing.
- For vessels above 15 Gross Tons to 50 Gross Tons, required items include:
  - Lines drawing and Table of Offsets,
  - Hydrostatic Curves,
  - General Arrangement,
  - Construction Plan and Details,
  - Midship Section, W.T. and O.T. Bulkhead,
  - Shafting and Propeller Arrangement,
  - Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery Arrangement and Specification,
  - Electrical equipment location plan,
  - Schematic Electrical Wiring Diagram,
  - Schedule of Loads and Electrical Specifications.
  - Additional requirements for steel hull vessels include:
    - Shell Expansion and Deck Plating Plan, and
    - Welding Specifications and Schedule.
  - Additional plans for passenger vessels include:
    - Permissible subdivision by empirical formula (for vessel carrying less than 150 passengers),
    - Inclining Experiment with trim and stability Calculations,
    - Passenger Accommodation Plan.
- For vessels above 50 Gross Tons to 100 Gross Tons, required items include:
  - Lines Drawing and Table of Offsets,
  - Hydrostatic Curves,
  - General Arrangement,
  - Construction Plan and Details,
  - Midship Section, W.T. and O.T. Bulkheads,
  - Capacity Plan,
  - Shafting and Propeller Arrangement,
  - Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery Arrangement and Specification,
  - Piping Plans (Diagrammatic),
  - Firefighting Arrangement,
  - Electrical equipment location plan,
  - Schematic Electrical Wiring Diagram,
  - Schedule of Loads and Electrical Specifications,
  - Inclining Experiment with trim and Stability Calculations.
  - Additional requirements for steel hull vessels include:
    - Shell Expansion and Deck Plating Vessels, and
    - Welding Specifications and Schedule.
  - Additional plans for passenger vessels include:
    - Permissible length Subdivision (for vessel carrying not more than 150 passengers) and/or Floodable length calculations (for vessel carrying more than 150 passengers),
    - Cross and Statical Curves of Stability,
    - Passenger Accommodation Plan.
- For vessels above 100 Gross tons, required items include:
  - Lines Drawing and Table of Offsets,
  - Hydrostatic curves,
  - General Arrangement,
  - Construction Plan and Details,
  - Midship Section, W.T. and O.T. Bulkhead,
  - Capacity Plan,
  - Rudder and Steering gear arrangement,
  - Propulsion and Auxiliary, Machinery arrangement and Specification,
  - Piping Plan for FO, LD, FW and SW System,
  - Fire Fighting arrangement,
  - Ventilation system,
  - Mast, derrick, boom and anchor handling Arrangement,
  - Hatches and covers watertight doors and manholes and their closing arrangement in details,
  - Electrical equipment location plan,
  - Schematic electrical wiring diagram of main and emergency generating system,
  - Schedule of loads and electrical specification,
  - Inclining experiment with trim and stability calculations,
  - Cross and statical curves of stability.
  - For steel hull vessels, additional items include:
    - Shell expansion and Deck plating plan, and
    - Welding specification and schedule.
  - Additional plans for passenger vessels include:
    - Bonjeans cures and floodable length calculation, and
    - Passenger Accommodation Plan.
- For Non-Propelled Barges and Similar Vessels, required items include:
  - General Arrangement,
  - Construction Plan and Details,
  - Midship Section, W.T. and O.T. Bulkhead,
  - Shell Expansion and Deck Plating Plan (for steel hull vessels),
  - Hatches and covers watertight doors and manholes and their closing arrangement in details,
  - Displacement Curve.
For existing vessels, required items track the new construction set by gross tonnage category with enumerated substitutions:
- For vessels below 15 GT, use the new construction set except New construction sub-paragraph items (ii and iii).
- For vessels above 15 GT to 50 GT, use the new construction set except items (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), and (xii).
- For vessels above 50 GT to 100 GT, use the new construction set except items (vii), (viii), (ix), and (x).
- For vessels above 100 GT, use the new construction set except items (vii), (viii), (ix), (xii), (xiii), and (xxi).
- For non-propelled barges and similar vessels, use the new construction set except items (ii), (iii), and (v).
Additional rules in Annex A require:
- submission of other relevant plans and data when necessary,
- additional prints of required plans may be submitted and are charged as if it were a new plan, and
- submission of plans for a vessel that is a sister vessel to another vessel may not be required when their general arrangement is the same as the approved plans already on file at the Administration as Head Office.

Rescission clause

Memorandum Circular No. 04-79 dated 10 August 1979 and all other related publications in conflict with PCG Memorandum Circular No. 1-94 are rescinded.