Question 1

A cadet is told a hot work permit was issued "this morning" and asks the bosun how long it's valid for, without checking the form itself. What is the maximum validity period a permit to work can have?

Accepted Answer

24 hours from issue, with any shorter job-specific time limits also stated on the permit COSWP Chapter 14 sets 24 hours as the maximum validity period a permit can be issued for, with any further job-specific time limits stated on the permit itself.

Question 2

An OOW taking over the watch finds a permit for overside work was issued 20 hours ago and the job is still running. The outgoing OOW says it's "basically the same job, don't worry about it." What should the new OOW do?

Accepted Answer

Check elapsed time against the 24-hour limit, recognise it's close to expiry, and flag to the authorising officer that revalidation will be needed rather than letting it lapse unnoticed A permit approaching its validity limit needs proactive attention at handover, not passive monitoring — the new OOW's job is to flag it to the authorising officer before it lapses, not to wait for it to expire.

Question 3

As authorising officer, the Chief Officer is asked by a contractor to "informally" extend a permit past 24 hours by initialing the margin, to avoid stopping a job that's nearly finished. What should the Chief Officer do?

Accepted Answer

Decline the informal extension, stop the job, and either re-inspect and issue a fresh permit or hold the work until conditions can be properly re-checked An informal margin-initial extension bypasses the substantive re-check the 24-hour limit exists to force. "Nearly finished" is exactly the situation the rule is designed to apply pressure-resistant judgment to, not an exception to it.