INTRODUCTION TO SIRE 2.0

SIRE to SIRE 2.0: Advancing Maritime Safety Standards

The maritime industry is the backbone of global trade. The safe and efficient operation of vessels is paramount to ensure the smooth flow of cargoes across the ocean and safeguard seafarers' lives in harsh marine environments.

The (SIRE) Ship Inspection Report Programme is of OCIMF & was first introduced in 1993 to address issues with substandard conditions of tanker Ships. Subsequently in year 2005, Barges and small vessels were also added to the SIRE program.  SIRE facilitates the sharing of inspection reports among various stakeholders, promoting transparency and it encourages continuous improvement in safety and operational practices.

SIRE is an instrumental in raising safety standards, the maritime industry faces new and evolving challenges. The increasing complexity of vessel operations, the growing emphasis on human factors in safety management, and the need for greater transparency and data-driven decision-making have necessitated a further evolution of the program.

One of the most significant changes in SIRE 2.0 is the explicit recognition of the human element in safe vessel operations. The program acknowledges that even with the best technology and procedures, human errors and limitations can contribute to incidents. SIRE 2.0 inspectors are trained to observe and assess crew behaviour, communication, and decision-making processes. Can be said that SIRE Inspectors are prepared with a human response toolkit.

OCIMF members, program recipients, and ship operators have all accepted and participated in this voluntary SIRE Program since its inception. Without a doubt, OCIMF's ongoing push for safer ships and cleaner seas is being accelerated by better-informed vetting decisions that result in higher-quality ships. The focus on quality ultimately leads to safer operations and a positive impact on marine environmental protection.

SIRE 2.0 program will enhance the safety levels at which a vessel and its crew operate by focusing on all relevant factors that affect safe operations.

SIRE 2.0 is a comprehensive risk management tool for assessing the safety and quality of oil tankers, barges, and terminals.

Key Features of SIRE 2.0 :

1. Improved Inspection Process: SIRE 2.0 adopts a more dynamic approach than the original SIRE, which adhered to a prescriptive checklist. It contains several risk-based questions (RBQs) that are customised for each type of vessel, the operational setting, and particular voyage circumstances. The goal of this system is to produce a more thorough and situation-specific examination.

2. Greater Attention to Human Factors: SIRE 2.0 places more emphasis on how human factors such as crew behaviour, decision-making, and training affect safety and performance in addition to the ship's technical state. This illustrates a more comprehensive strategy for operational safety.

3. Adapt Digital Technology: The new system incorporates digital inspection techniques, including the use of advance technology for real-time data entry and management. It also integrates analytics to improve the accuracy and relevance of inspections.

4. Inspector Certification and Training: Under the new framework, SIRE 2.0 mandates that inspectors receive certification and training. The goal is to make sure they understand the updated system and are better able to spot possible hazards.
 

5. Improved Risk Management: SIRE 2.0's overarching goal is to give ship operators, oil companies, and charterers a more accurate risk profile by giving them a more authentic understanding of the safety risks connected to a vessel.
 

The uniform inspection protocol upon which the SIRE 2.0 program is based includes the following:

The Pre-Inspection Preparation:

The preparation for the inspection begins as soon as an inspector is nominated.

The following information is provided to the inspector before the inspection.

1. Vessel particulars.
2. Vessel certificates.
3. PSC Data’s.
4. Incident data’s.
5. Pre inspection questionnaire (PIQ).
6. Past inspection results/observations.
7. Relevant available drawings /plans /Photographs.

The Inspection Element:

Consists of -

• The pre-boarding phase
• The physical Inspection phase.

The Report Element:

 Inspector plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy of the inspection data & the inspector must confirm that all data entered in the inspection editor during the pre-boarding and physical inspection stages is accurate. All changes to observations are recorded by the Tablet’s software, which can allow a greater level of input when compared to the existing paper-based questionnaire. It also includes checking for any spelling or grammar errors in comments and negative observations, the inspector submits the inspection dataset to the SIRE report database.

To summarize - SIRE 2.0 represents a significant shift in the inspection process by focusing on risk-based assessments, human factors, and the use of modern technology to improve the safety and operational standards of vessels in the oil and gas industry.

SIRE 2.0 establishes a new standard for operational excellence and safety in the maritime sector by providing a more dynamic, data-driven method of vessel inspections that guarantees better risk management and increased maritime safety.