SIRE - Glossary

This article lists some abbreviations and terms of refence used that relate to SIRE, which may be particularly of use to new users. This gives the full name and a brief description. 

SIRE - Ship Inspection Report Programme. A unique tanker and barge inspection Programme and database containing details of registered Assets and inspection reports.

TMSA - Tanker Management Self Assessment.  Usually completed by vessel operators. A self assessment system devised by OCIMF designed to help organisations to manage their safety systems. Further details can be found here: https://ocimf.org/programmes/msa

VIQ - Vessel Inspection Questionnaire. Usually completed by a SIRE inspector when they carry out a physical inspection of a vessel. Once completed this is then used to create the final published inspection report. Used for larger seagoing vessels such as Oil and Chemical Tankers.

BIQ - Barge Inspection Questionnaire. As per the VIQ above but tailored more specifically to Barges. 

VPQ - Vessel Particulars Questionnaire. A document usually completed by vessel owners/operators giving the main technical details which is then published and made available in SIRE. Designed for larger vessels such as tankers. 

BPQ - Barge Particulars Questionnaire. As per the VPQ above, however this is tailored to barges with details that are more specific to these types of vessels. 

EBIS - European Barge Inspection Scheme. Formerly a stand alone inspection system, which was integrated into OCIMF/SIRE to provide inspections for European Barges. 

Submitting Company - An organisation who is able to commission and submit inspections to the SIRE database, these are usually the main oil, gas and chemical companies.

Inspection Request - Used by vessel operators to send requests to submitting companies to establish if any of these organisation is able to commission an inspection on a specified vessel. It then allows them to express an interest and begin the process of arranging an inspection. 

SIRE Remote Inspection - These were introduced in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Designed to allow vessel inspections to take place where restrictions prevent inspectors from attending a vessel. They are designed to allow vessel inspections to take place with the minimal of direct contact between the inspector and vessel crew to ensure maximum safety for all parties involved.