Planned Maintenance Schedules
A planned maintenance schedule (PMS) is the structured programme of routine inspections, servicing and overhaul intervals applied to a yacht's machinery, systems and structure. It is typically managed through software such as Idea Studio's Idea, Voly, AMOS or DockMaster, and is required by class society and ISM Code obligations on larger yachts.
What are planned maintenance schedules?
Planned maintenance schedules, often abbreviated PMS, are structured programmes of routine inspections, servicing intervals, and component overhauls covering a yacht's machinery, systems, and structure. The schedule defines what is inspected or replaced, by whom, at what running-hour or calendar interval, and against which manufacturer or class society requirement. It is the operational backbone of yacht engineering and the document set most heavily scrutinised during pre-purchase surveys, insurance renewals, and class society audits.
The programme is typically managed through dedicated software platforms. Common systems in superyacht use include Idea Studio's Idea, Voly, AMOS, DockMaster, and ABS Nautical Systems. Each platform tracks job cards, spares inventory, running hours from the engine and generator counters, and documentary evidence such as photographs, service reports, and class certificates. Chief engineers update the system continuously while the yacht is in service.
For yachts above 500 gross tonnes operating commercially, a documented PMS is required under the rules of the relevant class society (Lloyd's Register, RINA, DNV, ABS, Bureau Veritas) and under the ISM Code as administered by the flag state. Private yachts below 500 GT are not strictly required to operate a class-grade PMS but increasingly do so to protect resale value and to satisfy insurers.
Why it matters for yacht owners
A well-maintained PMS is the single strongest indicator of how a yacht has been operated. Brokers and surveyors examine the PMS history before condition surveys and use it to flag deferred maintenance, missed intervals, and undocumented repairs. A complete record typically supports a stronger asking price and a smoother pre-purchase process, while gaps or recent reconstruction of the history are treated as warning signs. Underwriters increasingly require evidence of an active PMS before renewing hull and machinery cover.
Key facts
- Required under class society rules and the ISM Code on commercial yachts above 500 GT.
- Common software platforms include Idea, Voly, AMOS, DockMaster, and ABS Nautical Systems.
- Tracks job cards, spares, running hours, and documentary evidence in one system.
- Intervals are set by manufacturer requirements, class rules, and operator policy.
- Reviewed during pre-purchase surveys, insurance renewals, and class audits.
- Increasingly required by hull and machinery underwriters even on private yachts.
- Gaps in the record typically reduce achievable resale price.
- Chief engineer is the day-to-day owner of the schedule on board.
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View moreFAQ
Is a planned maintenance schedule legally required?
For commercial yachts above 500 gross tonnes, yes. The ISM Code and the rules of the relevant class society (Lloyd's Register, RINA, DNV, ABS, Bureau Veritas) require a documented planned maintenance programme as part of the safety management system. Private yachts below 500 GT are not strictly required to operate one but, are now expected to by underwriters and prospective buyers. Yachts moving between private and commercial registration typically need to bring the PMS up to commercial standard before re-flagging.
Which software is most common on superyachts?
Idea Studio's Idea, Voly, AMOS, DockMaster, and ABS Nautical Systems are the platforms most often encountered on yachts above 40 metres. Choice is typically driven by the management company's standard, the chief engineer's preference, and the class society's reporting requirements. Smaller yachts sometimes operate on lighter platforms or, occasionally, on spreadsheet-based systems, though spreadsheet-only management is increasingly considered substandard at survey and is flagged by buyers' technical advisers.
How far back should PMS records go?
Surveyors typically expect the full life of the yacht for major machinery, with detailed records for at least the past five years. Engine and generator overhaul history, gearbox service intervals, stabiliser maintenance, and structural inspections are reviewed in depth. Where records have been reconstructed after a change of management or software migration, surveyors will flag this and may require additional inspections to confirm the actual condition of the equipment. Continuous, contemporaneous records are always preferred to retroactively assembled documentation.
What happens if maintenance intervals are missed?
Missed intervals are recorded against the affected job card and require corrective action before the next class survey. Persistent gaps can lead to suspension of class, which in turn invalidates flag state registration and insurance cover. On the brokerage market, missed intervals on major items, particularly main engines, generators, and stabilisers, typically reduce the achievable price and extend the closing timeline as buyers commission additional inspections to quantify the condition of the equipment.
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For any owner, the choice of who will be personally in charge of your relationship with Superyacht Partners, is just as important as the company and the team as a whole. With extensive experience in managing, operating, and building superyachts, our team excels in all aspects of yacht brokerage. We offer comprehensive legal, commercial, and operational expertise, ensuring every angle of the sale, purchase, and operation is meticulously evaluated.
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