Which areas of a vessel are included in a Boarding Initial Safety Sweep (BISS)?

The areas included in a Boarding Initial Safety Sweep (BISS) primarily focus on critical locations that are essential for assessing the safety and compliance of a vessel. In this context, the bilges, engineering, and machinery spaces are crucial because they house key operational systems and can pose significant safety risks if not properly monitored.

Bilges are areas where water collects and can indicate leaks or other issues that compromise vessel integrity. Engineering spaces contain machinery that drives the vessel and requires inspection to ensure it is functioning correctly and safely. Similarly, machinery spaces house equipment that could impact the overall operational capability of the vessel.

Understanding the significance of these spaces is vital for the safety of both the vessel and its crew. By prioritizing these areas during a safety sweep, boarding teams ensure that they address critical safety concerns and compliance with regulations. Other areas such as crew quarters, lounges, deck areas, weather decks, emergency exits, and lifeboats, while important for overall vessel operations and safety, are not the primary focus of the initial safety sweep in this context.