SIRE 2.0 :- Is it the right time to launch this project????? What is need of the hour at present scenario?

Cometh the news… “SIRE 2.0 is on track to be launched in April 2022”

OCIMF is developing SIRE 2.0; an enhanced and risk-based vessel inspection programme.

As published “The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) is currently developing an updated and enhanced version of its Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE) tanker risk assessment tool, the ship inspection regime that has become central to supporting safety and best practice in the marine industry. The new regime, SIRE 2.0, will replace the current system from Q2 2022….. Significantly, SIRE 2.0 inspections will be completed using an intrinsically safe, Ex-proof (IECEx) tablet device, allowing inspections and feedback to be reported and documented in real-time.”

This new version of SIRE programme is focussing on detailed inspection with expanded question set. For achieving this, the technology is used smartly for helping inspectors to cover more areas during the inspection. There will be real time record keeping and data sharing through the tablet. The major two difference visible is enhancing the inspector’s reach and real time data logging/ access to the OCIMF.

Is it the right time to launch this project? ?or what is the need of the hour at present scenario?

OCIMF has been working on the project to develop SIRE 2.0 since 2017. With respect to the inception of this project, it was a great concept and good involvement of the technology in the inspection process. But now time is not the same, priorities have changed drastically.

Now the challenge is not how to make inspector well equipped but the major issue is how to make the inspector reach to the vessel. More than half of the ports are closed for any visit, majority of flights are under lockdown. Presently there is requirement of global policy of restricting physical contact and maintaining social distancing. Ship staff is still not comfortable with the presence of any outsider onboard and same stands true for the inspector too.

To address the issue of Covid restrictions, the online Remote SIRE vetting inspection was introduced in early phase of Covid pandemic time in 2020 but since then there has been not much development in the process of Remote SIRE inspections. As we are involved actively in the Remote inspections, we can say that still it has lots of complications which can be simplified for making the inspection process convenient. Many operators are finding it inconvenient to organise and carry out the Remote SIRE inspection in comparison to the physical SIRE inspection.

So, the priority may be to develop the process of Remote Sire Inspection with actively involvement of Technology. The proposed Tablet designed could be such that it could be connected to the vessel with the help of agent, where ship staff can upload required documents and photos within fixed time frame or there may be some inspection software application developed for purpose of Remote SIRE inspection process, which can be easily installed on any Android or IOS device. Vessel login page can be created on demand having vessel, operators, inspector and OCIMF as parties involved. There will be set of expanded question set covering core (mandatory requirements), rotational, conditional (unique to vessel, operator or ship type) and campaign questions can be created for each vessel inspection. This will enable vessels to submit photographic evidence to support findings and allow GPS tracking and auto-logging of inspection start and finish times. Infact active use of technology like AI (Artificial Intelligence) can be introduced for inspection process which would uplift the convenience of inspections by many folds and within stipulated time frame. We have developed such project which can support our seafarer to cope up well with rising standards of maritime industry.

I am not saying the SIRE 2.0 project has any flaw, there is no doubts on its effectiveness. SIRE 2.0 will be a revolutionary step taken by OCIMF in the process of SIRE inspection. My point is that our priority at present time may be to develop the process of Online Remote Sire inspection with the use of technology for making the process of inspection simpler and safer for both ship staff and inspector.

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Capt. Harvinder Vats