Audit vs Inspection in Maritime:

What’s the Difference and Why It Matters ?

Audit vs Inspection: What’s the Difference?

Aspect

Audits

Inspections

Purpose

Assess systems, procedures, and documentation for compliance and effectiveness.

Examine the physical condition and operational safety onboard.

Focus Area

Policies, manuals, SMS, procedural compliance.

Lifesaving equipment, machinery, structural integrity.

Depth

In-depth and systemic; reviews documents, interviews crew, etc.

Visual and functional checks of onboard systems.

Conducted By

Qualified internal or external auditors.

Crew, superintendents, Port State Control, RightShip, etc.

Frequency

Scheduled (e.g., annually).

Routine or unannounced.

Output

Audit report with corrective actions and closure plan.

Checklist with deficiencies to be rectified immediately.

Internal vs External: A Quick Comparison

Both audits and inspections can be internal (carried out by the vessel operator) or external (conducted by regulatory or third-party bodies):

Internal

External

Audit

Company’s own HSEQ team.

Class societies, flag state, oil majors (e.g. TMSA).

Inspection

Routine checks by crew or shore team.

Port State Control, Class Surveyors, RightShip vetting, etc.

How the PRIME Marine Audit & Inspections Module Helps:

Whether you’re managing an internal safety audit or preparing for an external vetting inspection, PRIME Marine’s Audit & Inspections module helps you stay ahead with:

•
Audit Planning Tools: Schedule audits across vessels with checklists, auditor assignment, and scope definition.
•
Digital Forms: Access audit templates directly within the system; submitted forms auto-populate the Findings section.
•
Findings Tracker: Assign non-conformities or observations to responsible personnel and monitor their closure.
•
Analytics Dashboard: Get audit trends, frequency, recurring issues, and compliance status in a snapshot.
•
Integration with Risk & Document Modules: Seamlessly connect audit findings with corrective actions, SOP updates, and fleet circulars.

Why This Matters for Ship Operators

Audits and inspections are more than just tick-box exercises. They are core mechanisms of operational integrity, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. With regulations tightening across the globe (ISM Code, TMSA, RightShip, SIRE 2.0, etc.), staying organized and audit-ready is non-negotiable.

Ready to Transform Your Audit & Inspection Workflow?

Learn how PRIME Marine can help you build a transparent, compliant, and efficient audit program for your fleet.