What vessel operators must check before inspection
In recent years, electronic Planned Maintenance Systems (e-PMS) have become central to vessel maintenance management — and they are increasingly evaluated during RightShip inspections as part of the RISQ questionnaire’s maintenance and machinery scrutiny. While RightShip does not publicly publish a question-by-question checklist, the RISQ framework explicitly covers maintenance systems and the effectiveness of PMS processes as part of the overall Safety Management System (SMS) and condition assessment.
Here are the key question themes and areas that inspectors are likely to focus on when it comes to e-PMS:
📌 1. Integration & Coverage of Critical Equipment
One of the first things inspectors look for is whether the e-PMS comprehensively covers all critical machinery and systems.
Typical RISQ-style questions include:
- Does the e-PMS include all safety-critical and mission-critical equipment such as main engines, generators, cargo systems, navigation-related machinery, and lifesaving systems?
- Is there documented evidence that the system schedules routine and periodic maintenance for all applicable systems?
- Are special surveys and classification-required maintenance incorporated into the electronic system?
Maintaining a complete and up-to-date database in the e-PMS demonstrates that maintenance activities are planned, tracked, and verified — not ad-hoc.
📝 2. Documentation & Traceability
RightShip inspections verify that maintenance records and evidence are not only present but accessible and coherent during the inspection.
Inspectors will typically ask:
- Are maintenance histories and completion records available directly from the e-PMS?
- Are corrective actions (e.g., after-failure repairs) logged with time, responsible person, parts replaced, and follow-up actions?
- Can the crew demonstrate electronic export or report generation for recent maintenance tasks?
Electronic systems significantly ease this inspection step — paper logbooks or fragmented records often trigger findings.
👩🔧 3. Implementation & Crew Familiarity
A big part of RISQ is not just whether a system exists but whether the crew uses it correctly:
Example questions:
- Are crew members and technical officers familiar with the functionalities of the e-PMS?
- Can they demonstrate how to execute a planned maintenance task, update its status, and upload evidence?
- Have personnel been trained in the e-PMS and can they explain how overdue tasks are flagged and handled?
RightShip inspectors often interview crew to confirm that the system is not only live but operationally effective.
⚠️ 4. Overdue & Pending Tasks
One of the most common areas of scrutiny is overdue maintenance items:
Inspectors may ask:
- Does the e-PMS flag overdue tasks and list responsible crew or departments?
- Is there evidence of corrective planning or risk mitigation when overdue tasks cannot be completed due to operational constraints?
- Are overdue trends monitored at management level and addressed in SMS reviews?
Findings in this area can significantly affect a vessel’s Safety Score if overdue maintenance points to systemic SMS issues rather than occasional lapses.
🔄 5. Integration With SMS and Risk Controls
RISQ inspections expect that the e-PMS is not an isolated system, but is integrated with the vessel’s broader Safety Management System:
Relevant questions include:
- Is there a link between maintenance tasks and the SMS risk registers?
- Does the e-PMS generate alerts or notifications to the designated technical superintendent ashore and onboard officers?
- Are results from e-PMS audits and performance indicators reflected in internal audits, corrective actions, and reviews?
This demonstrates proactive risk control versus reactive maintenance.
📌 Quick Preparation Tips Before Inspection
To maximise your e-PMS readiness for RISQ or RightShip-style assessments:
✔ Ensure the system’s equipment coverage and task schedules are complete and up-to-date.
✔ Produce exportable reports (e.g., due/overdue task lists, history logs) ready for inspection.
✔ Conduct crew training sessions on how to navigate, update, and evidence tasks in the system.
✔ Review overdue items and document corrective action plans.
✔ Align the e-PMS with your SMS procedures and internal audit outcomes.
Bottom Line:
Inspectors increasingly treat electronic Planned Maintenance Systems not just as data repositories but as key performance indicators for safety, reliability, and proactive risk management. Ensuring your e-PMS is comprehensive, transparent, and actively used will put your vessel in a strong position for positive inspection outcomes.
How MBlueWave PMS Supports RightShip & RISQ Expectations
The MBlueWave Planned Maintenance System (PMS) is designed to fully support inspection requirements under the RightShip RISQ framework by providing structured, traceable, and evidence-based maintenance management. The module ensures complete coverage of safety-critical and class-related equipment, real-time monitoring of due and overdue tasks, and detailed maintenance histories with supporting documentation. Crew and shore teams can easily demonstrate task execution, corrective actions, and trend analysis during inspections, while automated reporting and audit-ready exports align the PMS directly with the vessel’s Safety Management System (SMS). This integrated approach helps operators move beyond compliance, reinforcing maintenance transparency, operational reliability, and positive inspection outcomes.
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