If you work on or around tankers, you've almost certainly heard SIRE 2.0 mentioned — often with some anxiety attached. It replaced the inspection system most seafarers and vetting professionals had known for years, and it changed more than just the questionnaire. This guide walks through what SIRE 2.0 actually is, how it works in practice, and what to focus on if you're preparing for an inspection under it.
What Is SIRE 2.0?
SIRE 2.0 is the Oil Companies International Marine Forum's (OCIMF) current inspection programme for tankers. It permanently took over from the previous system, VIQ7, on 2 September 2024, and is now the only commercial inspection framework OCIMF uses for tanker vetting.
The biggest change isn't just the name — it's the approach. VIQ7 used a single, fixed questionnaire applied more or less the same way to every vessel. SIRE 2.0 instead builds a unique set of questions for each individual inspection, pulled from a much larger central Question Library, based on the vessel's own risk profile and inspection history.
Why Was SIRE 2.0 Introduced?
Under the old system, questions were predictable enough that crews could effectively rehearse expected answers rather than demonstrate real working knowledge. OCIMF designed SIRE 2.0 to close that gap — by making the question set unpredictable, grading responses on a more nuanced scale, and putting real weight on how crews actually behave and respond, not just what they say.
How SIRE 2.0 Differs From VIQ7
| Aspect | VIQ7 | SIRE 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Question set | Fixed, same for every vessel | Unique per inspection (CVIQ) |
| Response format | Binary Yes / No | Graded scale |
| Focus | Mostly hardware and procedures | Hardware, procedures, and human factors |
| Predictability | High — could be rehearsed | Low — compiled for each inspection |
| Recording | Largely paper-based | Tablet-based, with photo evidence |
| Report validity | — | Active in OCIMF database for 12 months |
How the Inspection Works
A SIRE 2.0 inspection is carried out on a tablet by an OCIMF-accredited inspector. Instead of working through a static checklist, the inspector follows a set of questions compiled specifically for that vessel and that inspection. The process runs across three elements: a pre-inspection element (the vessel's HVPQ, PIQ, certificate repository and photo repository), the inspection element itself (pre-boarding and physical inspection phases), and a report element, where the inspector verifies and submits the finalised report to the SIRE database.
Completed reports stay active in the OCIMF database for 12 months, meaning the next inspector — and the next report recipient — can see whether previous corrective actions were actually followed through.
What Is CVIQ?
CVIQ stands for Compiled Vessel Inspection Questionnaire — a unique, vessel-specific set of questions generated by OCIMF's inspection compiler for every single inspection. Per OCIMF's own programme documentation, the questions in a CVIQ are drawn from four categories:
Conceptual illustration of how SIRE 2.0 question categories contribute to the compiled inspection questionnaire — not an official OCIMF flowchart.
Because the exact mix is compiled per vessel and per inspection — and never shared with the operator in advance — the exact question mix can vary from one inspection to another, so crews cannot rely on a known, fixed questionnaire.
The Role of Human Factors and PIFs
One of the most significant additions in SIRE 2.0 is the formal assessment of human performance. When a crew member's response to a task is rated above or below expectation, the inspector selects a Performance Influencing Factor (PIF) — OCIMF's own term for a factor known to shape human performance, for better or worse — from a prescribed list built into the inspection tool.
These are illustrative examples, not the complete list — OCIMF's human response tool draws from a defined set of PIF categories. Full detail is available in OCIMF's own SIRE 2.0 Human Factors training videos.
This shifts the inspection away from simply counting how many things went wrong, toward understanding why — which is far more useful for a vessel or fleet trying to fix root causes rather than just the symptom.
How Vessel Operators and Crews Prepare
Because CVIQ content isn't fixed or shared in advance, memorising a questionnaire is no longer a viable preparation strategy. Preparation under SIRE 2.0 looks more like:
- Keeping the Pre-Inspection Questionnaire (PIQ) and vessel photo repository accurate and current — OCIMF recommends refreshing photos roughly every six months
- Making sure procedures are genuinely understood by the crew, not just filed away
- Running internal drills that mirror how SIRE 2.0 actually assesses human performance
- Closing out corrective actions from previous inspections properly, since reports stay visible for 12 months
- Building general familiarity with the question categories and the graded response scale, rather than trying to predict exact questions
Common Preparation Mistakes
- Treating SIRE 2.0 prep the same way VIQ7 prep was handled (studying a fixed list)
- Focusing only on paperwork and missing the human-factors component entirely
- Letting corrective actions from the last inspection go unresolved
- Under-preparing the crew for how they'll be asked to explain why, not just what
Where SIRE 2.0 Training Fits In
Understanding the structure of SIRE 2.0 is a good first step — but preparing a crew or a vetting team to perform confidently under it takes structured practice with the CVIQ categories, the graded response system, and the human-factors assessment specifically.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did SIRE 2.0 replace VIQ7?
SIRE 2.0 permanently replaced VIQ7 on 2 September 2024 and is now OCIMF's only commercial tanker inspection programme.
What does CVIQ stand for?
Compiled Vessel Inspection Questionnaire — the unique set of questions generated for each individual SIRE 2.0 inspection.
What is a Performance Influencing Factor (PIF) in SIRE 2.0?
A factor OCIMF defines as known to shape human performance, either enhancing or degrading it. Inspectors tag the relevant PIF when rating a crew member's task performance above or below expectation.
Can crews see the CVIQ before an inspection?
No. The CVIQ is not made available to the vessel operator in advance, so crews are expected to be prepared for any question relevant to their vessel rather than a known, fixed set.
How long does a SIRE 2.0 report stay active?
Completed SIRE 2.0 inspection reports remain available in the OCIMF database for 12 months from the date they're published.