What maintenance items are required for SOLAS compliance on a commercial yacht?

SOLAS requires annual inspection and certification of life rafts (SOLAS III), EPIRBs with current 406 MHz registration and battery replacement (SOLAS IV), fire extinguishers and fire detection systems (SOLAS II-2), immersion suits fitted per person (SOLAS III), and DSC radio testing. The vessel stability booklet must be on board and pyrotechnics must not be expired.

How often should a yacht raw water impeller be replaced?

Raw water impellers on main engines and generators should be replaced annually or per the manufacturer hour interval (typically 250 to 500 engine hours), whichever comes first. Impeller failure causes overheating within minutes. For charter yachts with high engine hours, mid-season inspection is recommended.

What is the ISM Code requirement for planned maintenance on yachts?

ISM Code Element 10 requires a documented Planned Maintenance System with scheduled intervals, records of maintenance carried out, a procedure for reporting defective equipment, and identification of critical equipment tested at defined intervals. PSC inspectors examine the PMS and maintenance logs as part of any inspection.

Which maintenance items are most critical for Port State Control?

PSC inspectors prioritise life-saving appliances (life rafts, EPIRBs, flares, immersion suits), fire detection and suppression systems, navigation lights and VHF radio DSC capability, MARPOL Oil Record Book currency, and MLC 2006 documentation including crew certificates and rest hours records.

Yacht Maintenance Checklist — Free ISM Tool | HelmOps

Safety Equipment

Life rafts serviced and certification current
AnnualSOLAS III
EPIRB battery and registration current (406 MHz)
AnnualSOLAS IV
Fire extinguishers inspected and certified
AnnualSOLAS II-2
Flares within expiry date and stowage marked
Annual
Immersion suits inspected, fitted per person
AnnualSOLAS III
Smoke detectors tested
Monthly
CO detectors tested
Monthly

Hull & Deck

Hull antifouling inspected or applied
Annual (haul-out)
Anodes inspected and replaced as needed
Annual
Stern gear and propeller shaft checked
Annual (haul-out)
Through-hull fittings and seacocks exercised
Monthly
Deck fittings, cleats, and chainplates inspected
Annual
Bilge pumps tested (manual and automatic)
Monthly

Main Engine

Engine oil changed per manufacturer interval
Per hours / AnnualManufacturer manual
Raw water impeller replaced
Annual or per hours
Coolant level and condition checked
Monthly
Drive belts inspected for wear
Annual
Fuel filters replaced
Annual or per hours
Exhaust system inspected for leaks
Annual

Generator

Generator oil changed per service interval
Per hours / Annual
Generator raw water impeller replaced
Annual
Exhaust water flow confirmed during operation
Weekly

Electrical

Battery banks tested and capacity verified
Annual
Shore power connections and cabling inspected
Annual
Navigation lights tested (all positions)
Monthly

Navigation & Electronics

VHF radio DSC distress call tested with MMSI
Annual
GPS chartplotter charts updated
Annual
AIS transponder transmission verified
Annual
Magnetic compass deviation card current
After any major change

Rigging (Sailing)

Standing rigging inspected for broken strands and corrosion
Annual
Running rigging checked for wear and chafe
Annual
Turnbuckles and toggles lubricated
Annual

Documentation & Compliance

Ship Safety Management Certificate current (ISM)
Annual auditISM Code
MLC 2006 Maritime Labour Certificate current
Renewal per certificateMLC 2006
MARPOL Oil Record Book entries up to date
After each operationMARPOL Annex I
Crew STCW certificates valid and on file
Per crew rotationSTCW
Flag State registration and radio licence current
Annual
Insurance certificates current
Annual
Vessel stability booklet on board
Verify present

Safety Equipment

Life rafts serviced and certification current
AnnualSOLAS III
EPIRB battery and registration current (406 MHz)
AnnualSOLAS IV
Fire extinguishers inspected and certified
AnnualSOLAS II-2
Flares within expiry date and stowage marked
Annual
Immersion suits inspected, fitted per person
AnnualSOLAS III
Smoke detectors tested
Monthly
CO detectors tested
Monthly

Hull & Deck

Hull antifouling inspected or applied
Annual (haul-out)
Anodes inspected and replaced as needed
Annual
Stern gear and propeller shaft checked
Annual (haul-out)
Through-hull fittings and seacocks exercised
Monthly
Deck fittings, cleats, and chainplates inspected
Annual
Bilge pumps tested (manual and automatic)
Monthly

Main Engine

Engine oil changed per manufacturer interval
Per hours / AnnualManufacturer manual
Raw water impeller replaced
Annual or per hours
Coolant level and condition checked
Monthly
Drive belts inspected for wear
Annual
Fuel filters replaced
Annual or per hours
Exhaust system inspected for leaks
Annual

Generator

Generator oil changed per service interval
Per hours / Annual
Generator raw water impeller replaced
Annual
Exhaust water flow confirmed during operation
Weekly

Electrical

Battery banks tested and capacity verified
Annual
Shore power connections and cabling inspected
Annual
Navigation lights tested (all positions)
Monthly

Navigation & Electronics

VHF radio DSC distress call tested with MMSI
Annual
GPS chartplotter charts updated
Annual
AIS transponder transmission verified
Annual
Magnetic compass deviation card current
After any major change

Rigging (Sailing)

Standing rigging inspected for broken strands and corrosion
Annual
Running rigging checked for wear and chafe
Annual
Turnbuckles and toggles lubricated
Annual

Documentation & Compliance

Ship Safety Management Certificate current (ISM)
Annual auditISM Code
MLC 2006 Maritime Labour Certificate current
Renewal per certificateMLC 2006
MARPOL Oil Record Book entries up to date
After each operationMARPOL Annex I
Crew STCW certificates valid and on file
Per crew rotationSTCW
Flag State registration and radio licence current
Annual
Insurance certificates current
Annual
Vessel stability booklet on board
Verify present

Yacht Maintenance Checklist

Safety Equipment

Hull & Deck

Main Engine

Generator

Electrical

Navigation & Electronics

Rigging (Sailing)

Documentation & Compliance

Automate this checklist with HelmOps

Related Resources

Yacht Maintenance Checklist

Safety Equipment

Hull & Deck

Main Engine

Generator

Electrical

Navigation & Electronics

Rigging (Sailing)

Documentation & Compliance

Automate this checklist with HelmOps

Related Resources