Authority for Determination of the Seaworthiness

The Authority for Determination of the Seaworthiness is the authorized body of the Government of the Republic of Serbia concerned with the safety of ships navigating under Serbian flag. The Authority for Determination of the Seaworthiness was established in Belgrade in 1949, as part of Yugoslav Register of Shipping concerned with inland navigation vessels.

The main activities of public interest undertaken by the Authority for Determination of the Seaworthiness are:

• Establishing the fitness for navigation of ships belonging to the merchant marine of the Republic of Serbia by performing the technical survey during construction or reconstruction, or by survey on ships in navigation.
• Establishing the safety of gear for loading the cargo into the ship or discharging from the ship.
• Tonnage measurement of ships.
• Issuing the documents to ships as empowered by Serbian Law.
• Establishing the technical conditions for types of machinery, engines, equipment and materials that are installed into ships, or serve to keep the fitness for navigation of ships
• Following and studying the causes of  accidents of ships caused by malfunctioning or shortcomings of the construction of hull, engines,  machinery and equipment which is serving for the safety of navigation.
• Establishing the safety of ships carrying dangerous goods and issuing relevant documents.

At this moment about 350 Serbian vessels are regularly surveyed by the Authority for Determination of the Seaworthiness and operate on European inland waterways.

The development of the Authority for Determination of the Seaworthiness is based on its ability to establish its own rules, harmonized with latest requirements of international institutions responsible for safety of navigation, protection of human life, property and environment.