SuperRoninBook a demoSign in

PSC deficiency code 02117: Decks - corrosion

Area 02 Structural conditions

Code 02117 is for corrosion of deck plating and the structure under it: main deck, forecastle and poop, the deck around hatch coamings and fittings, and decks in spaces the inspector can enter, such as the bosun store. Surface rust is a maintenance item. The code gets written when the inspector sees heavy scale, deep pitting, thinned plating or holes, and doubts the deck still has its strength and tightness.

What the inspector looks at

Most of this is seen on a walk round the main deck, sometimes with a hammer or scraper.

  • Plating around hatch coamings, mooring bitts and pipe penetrations, where water lies
  • The deck along the ship's side and under pipes and cable trays
  • Holes or cracks, including ones covered with cement, epoxy or soft patches
  • Doublers welded on without class approval
  • Beams and longitudinals in the bosun store and other accessible spaces below deck
  • Class status: conditions of class, survey and thickness measurement reports, and the enhanced survey file on bulk carriers and tankers

Common findings

  • Main deck plating heavily corroded with holes in way of No. 3 hatch coaming
  • Deck plating wasted with deep pitting around mooring bitts
  • Hole in forecastle deck covered with epoxy filler, not accepted by class
  • Deck longitudinals in bosun store heavily corroded
  • Hole in main deck above ballast tank
  • No thickness measurement report for visibly wasted deck areas

The rule behind it

SOLAS chapter II-1, regulation 3-1 requires ships to be designed, built and maintained to the structural requirements of a recognized classification society or equivalent national standards. Bulk carriers and oil tankers also fall under SOLAS XI-1/2 and the 2011 ESP Code for enhanced surveys. The IMO port State control procedures list significant corrosion or pitting of deck plating and stiffening that affects seaworthiness or strength to take local loads among deficiencies that may justify detention, unless class has authorized a temporary repair for a voyage to a repair port.

Action codes you are likely to see

Local wastage with no loss of tightness or strength often gets 16 or 15, sometimes with a request that class look at it. Holes in the deck, or corrosion over a tank, usually get 17 with class attending before sailing. Significant areas of corrosion that affect strength can lead to 30. If class records don't match the ship, it may also be marked RO related. See action taken codes.

How to close it

Call class early. The surveyor will usually want thickness measurements by a firm class has approved, then decide between a permanent repair (cropping and renewing plate) and a temporary repair with a condition of class and a due date. File the class report, thickness measurements and photos with the Form B. Corrosion on this scale also points to maintenance under the ISM Code. Related: hull damage impairing seaworthiness and hatch covers.

Questions

When is deck corrosion a detainable deficiency?

When significant areas of corrosion or pitting of deck plating and stiffening affect seaworthiness or the deck's ability to take local loads. Inspectors are told to judge seaworthiness, not age, allowing for fair wear and tear down to minimum acceptable scantlings. A class-authorized temporary repair for a voyage to a repair yard is normally accepted.

Can we fix a hole in the deck with a cement box or epoxy?

Only as a temporary measure, and only if class agrees and records it, usually as a condition of class with a due date. A patch class doesn't know about tends to make the PSC finding worse, because it shows the defect was known and not reported.

Do we need thickness measurements to close the deficiency?

Often, yes. When wastage is visible, class will want measured thicknesses to compare with the allowed diminution.

Sources

Written by the SuperRonin team from the sources above. Last updated 6 Nov 2026. This page explains the rules; the regulation, the PSC officer and your flag and class have the final word. If something here doesn't match what you see on board, write to [email protected] and we'll correct it.

Track each deficiency to closure

SuperRonin keeps your fleet's certificates, surveys and PSC inspections. Enter the deficiencies from Form B and one click turns each into a condition with the due date its action code gives, so the office sees what is open and the bell rings before the date. Free during the pilot.

Start a free pilotAll deficiency codes

Other codes in Structural conditions

All deficiency codes · Action taken codes