QUESTION 11.1.9

Photograph comparison: Port or starboard windlass

Oil, Chemical, LPG, LNGForecastle

What is being checked

The inspector is comparing the operator-supplied photograph with the condition found onboard. The image must honestly represent the windlass, brake, chain, guards, controls and foundation, and the physical condition must be free of concerns requiring further review.

Ready onboard

0/6 complete

CURRENT IMAGEConfirm that the uploaded photograph is the image intended for this SIRE location and remains representative on the inspection date. OCIMF recommends refreshing photographs at approximately six-month intervals and requires replacement whenever condition materially changes.LIKE-FOR-LIKE VIEWCompare the same orientation and sufficient surrounding area so the windlass, brake, chain, guards, controls and foundation can be identified without ambiguity.PHYSICAL CONDITIONInspect for oil leakage, wastage, missing guards, defective brake markings, loose fastenings or poor housekeeping. Correct deficiencies or formally control them before claiming the photograph remains representative.COMPARABLE AREASCheck adjacent and similar areas. A selectively improved spot must not be used to imply that the wider vessel is in the same condition.DEFECT STATUSReconcile visible condition with windlass tests, brake and maintenance records. Open defects, temporary repairs and planned work must be accurately recorded.IMAGE QUALITYEnsure the view is correctly oriented, adequately lit, in focus, recent enough to be credible and free from editing that could conceal condition.

Practice questions

Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.

1When was this photograph taken, and why is it still representative today?

State the actual photograph date, the latest physical verification and any maintenance or operational change since the image was taken.

2What condition checks were completed on the windlass, brake, chain, guards, controls and foundation?

Describe a close physical check for oil leakage, wastage, missing guards, defective brake markings, loose fastenings or poor housekeeping, including inaccessible portions that cannot be judged from the photograph alone.

3Has any defect, repair or deterioration occurred since the photograph was taken?

Identify every relevant change. If the condition changed, update the image or explain and formally control the defect rather than defending an outdated view.

4Does the photograph fairly represent adjacent and comparable areas?

Confirm the wider area was inspected. The selected view must reflect average comparable condition and must not isolate a recently upgraded patch.

5What records support the condition seen during the inspection?

Show windlass tests, brake and maintenance records, and demonstrate that the photograph, physical condition and recorded defect status agree.

Where an observation may arise

NOT REPRESENTATIVE

The uploaded photograph did not match the condition found onboard at the time of inspection.

SELECTIVE VIEW

The framing showed an improved or clean portion while comparable surrounding areas were in materially poorer condition.

CONDITION CONCERN

The photograph was representative, but inspection identified oil leakage, wastage, missing guards, defective brake markings, loose fastenings or poor housekeeping.

OUTDATED AFTER CHANGE

Maintenance, damage, modification or deterioration occurred after the image was taken, but the photograph was not refreshed.

RECORD CONFLICT

The visible condition could not be reconciled with windlass tests, brake and maintenance records.

Master's practical note

Do not prepare Chapter 11 by taking better photographs alone. Walk the exact photographic route with the stored images in hand, compare both sides and similar spaces, then correct or declare every material difference.

Equipment boundary and references

Equipment boundary: This question covers the representativeness of the specified image and the visible condition of the windlass, brake, chain, guards, controls and foundation. It does not replace the detailed operational, testing or maintenance questions elsewhere in the SIRE library.

References

OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 2, Version 1.0, Question 11.1.9
OCIMF Mooring Equipment Guidelines, Fourth Edition
SOLAS Chapter II-1

Last reviewed: 2026-09-11