Classification &

Statutory Surveys

What is Classification?

1
Classification

● Covers a ship or marine structure as a whole and

confirms that the asset complies with its rules
● Is a process that continues for the entire vessel life
● Of ships and other marine structures may only be
conducted by classification societies
● Involves other processes, such as preparation and
updating of the Rules, which are not required for
certification

2
Class Does Not

● Replace the owner’s involvement

● Address everything – only what’s in the Rules
● Replace the design process
● Replace the Quality Assurance Department
● Provide a build specification (Rules for minimum
compliance)

3
Class Societies Are Not:

● Government agencies
● Concerned with insurance
● Confined to their country of incorporation
● Confined to classifying vessels of their national flag

4
What is The Role of The Surveyor?

● Existing vessels – the surveyor

is responsible for verifying
maintenance of class by
confirming that a ship is
maintained in accordance with
ABS Rules
● New construction – the surveyor
is responsible for verifying
construction and delivery to
class by confirming that a
vessel is built in compliance
with the ABS approved
drawings and applicable rules

5
Surveyor or Inspector?

● A surveyor will use the ABS rules,

regulations and standards, his
knowledge and experience to judge the
quality and acceptability of a product.
He does not always need to examine
100% of the details 100%.
● An inspector is strictly bound by a
specification and industry standards
defined in that specification. The
inspector has to examine 100% of the
details 100% and be satisfied that they
are in compliance.

6
Source for Common Terms

● ABS’ Free Rules

Downloads
■ ABS Website:
www.eagle.org
■ Rules and Guides
Downloads
■ Steel Vessel Rules
Sec. 7, Ch.1, Sec.1

7
www.eagle.org

8
Survey Intervals

● The base line for periodical survey interval is a five year

cycle commencing at delivery date of every vessel
● The delivery date is also called the anniversary date
● Every vessel must undergo a special periodical survey at
the end of every five year cycle

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 Survey Intervals: Annual Survey (AS)

Anniversary Due Date

Date of SS
or last SS
Due Date Due Date Due Date Due Date
1st AS 2nd AS 3rd AS 4th AS

±3 Mths ±3 Mths ±3 Mths ±3 Mths 3 Mths

AS Window AS Window AS Window AS Window

No extension of annual survey is permitted beyond the survey

window

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Survey Intervals: Intermediate Hull Surveys (IHS)

Intermediate Surveys start after special survey no.1

Anniversary
Date Due Date
or last SS Due Date Due Date Due Date of SS
Due Date
1st AS 2nd AS 3rd AS 4th AS

±3 Mths ±3 Mths ±3 Mths 3 Mths

±3 Mths Window
Window Window Window
9 Mths 9 Mths

INT Due Date

INT Survey Window
18 Months

No extension of intermediate hull survey is permitted beyond the survey

window
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 Special Survey of Hull (SS)
SS Window 3 Mths
15 Month EXT

Delivery Date 60 Months

or last SS SS
12 Months 24 Months 36 Months 48 Months
1st AS 2nd AS 3rd AS 4th AS

±3 Mths ±3 Mths ±3 Mths ±3 Mths

Window Window Window Window 3 Mths

9 Mths 9 Mths

Int due date

INT Survey Window
18 Months

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Drydocking (DD) & Auxiliary Boiler Surveys

SS Window 3 Mths
Delivery 15 Month EXT
Date
or last SS
60 Months
24 Months 48 Months SS
12 Months 2nd AS 36 Months
1st AS 3rd AS 4th AS

±3 Mths ±3 Mths ±3 Mths ±3 Mths 3 Mths

Window Window Window Window
9 Mths 9 Mths

SS Drydocking/Auxy Boiler Survey

must be done within 15 months of
INT Survey Window
SS due date but not more than 36
18 Months
months after 1st DD/Aux Blr Survey
1st Drydocking/Aux Blr Survey must be done
within 36 months of delivery date or last SS DD

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Planning - Be Prepared: Reduce Costs
● Have all of the vessel’s documents ready (certificates,
stability info, LL-11-D, NOx Technical Files (& EIAPPCs),
LSA/FFE maintenance reports, GMDSS/LRIT/VDR contracts
etc.)
● Carry out a thorough pre-survey examination and repair
questionable items (air pipes, closure devices, wt doors, etc.)
so that the Surveyor does not need to return
● If vessel is on continuous machinery survey, present parts
for crediting during annual surveys and in conjunction with
other visits
● Make sure alarms, indicators, communication systems, etc.,
are functioning properly
● Crew should check that general alarm bells and lights work
properly
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Planning - Be Prepared: Reduce Costs

● For drydock survey specifications be sure to include

clearances for rudder and weardown/clearances for
tailshafts. Provide access to rudder pintle nuts.
● Examine highly stressed areas of vessel’s structure
● Make sure standard connection for MARPOL is onboard
together with the six bolts
● Make sure international shore connection for fire main is
onboard

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Planning - Be Prepared: Reduce Costs
● Have portable fire extinguishers and fixed fire extinguishing
systems serviced if required
● Have the fire hoses laid out and ready to be tested
● Check emergency fire pump, emergency generators, etc. are
ready to be run
● Lifeboat rations, pyrotechnics etc. are all in date
● Auxiliary Boiler safety valves have been tested by C/Eng and
logged
● Arrangements for internal inspection of fire flaps and
ventilation duct dampers are accessible
● Air pipe closure devices on exposed decks accessible for
internal examination if required
● External Specialists (Radio Technician, Gauging/NDT,
LSA/FFE Maintenance, Divers etc.) booked

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Preparation for Survey

● The owner is to provide the

necessary facilities for a safe
execution of the survey
● Tanks and spaces are to be safe
for access i.e. gas freed,
ventilated, illuminated, etc.
● Sufficient illumination is to be
provided to reveal corrosion,
deformation, fractures, damages
or other structural deterioration

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Preparation for Survey

● Spaces are to be sufficiently clean and free from water,

scale, dirt, oil residues etc. to reveal corrosion,
deformation, fractures, damages or other structural
deterioration–those areas of structure whose renewal
has already been decided by the owner need only be
cleaned and de-scaled to the extent necessary to
determine the limits of the areas to be renewed

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Access for Close-up Survey

● Means are to be provided to enable the surveyor to

examine the hull structure in a safe and practical way

Rafting Staging - Permanent, Cherry Picker

Temporary or moveable

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Preparation for Survey

● In preparation for survey and Thickness Measurements

(TM’s) and to allow for a thorough examination, all
spaces are to be cleaned including removal from
surfaces of all loose accumulated corrosion scale

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Thickness Measurements (TM’s)

● The required TM’s are to be witnessed by

a surveyor
● The surveyor is to be onboard to the
extent necessary to control the process
● The TM company’s representative is to be
part of the survey planning meeting to be
held prior to commencing the survey
● In any kind of survey of structures in areas
where TM’s are required then close-up
surveys are to be carried out
simultaneously

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Annual Machinery Surveys

● Examination and testing of electrical

machinery, emergency sources of
power, switch gear and other
electrical equipment such as anchor
windlass
● Foundations of main and auxiliary
machinery

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Annual Machinery Surveys

● Operation test of remote controls for

stopping fans and machinery and
closing valves for fuel oil, lubricating oil
and other flammable oils are in working
order
● Fire extinguishing systems for spaces
containing paint and/or flammable
liquids and deep-fat cooking equipment
in accommodation and service spaces
are to be examined
● Operational readiness and maintenance
of firefighting systems are to be verified
● Propulsion thrusters

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Annual Boiler Surveys

● External examination of boilers including test of safety

and protective devices and test of safety valve using its
relieving gear, is to be carried out annually, within the
window of the annual survey of the vessel
● For waste heat boilers, the safety valves are to be
tested under steam by the chief engineer using its
relieving gear at sea within the annual survey window.
This test is to be recorded in the log book for review by
the attending surveyor prior to crediting the annual
survey of machinery.

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Fire Extinguishing & Detection Systems

● Examination and testing of fire

extinguishing and detection systems
including fire mains, fire pumps,
fireman’s outfits, fire extinguishers
and remote shutdown of ventilation
and fuel supplies
● Ventilators ducts are to be opened to
verify satisfactory condition of the fire
dampers

25
Special Survey Machinery

● Examination and operation of:

■ Propulsion machinery
■ Heat exchanger and pressure vessels
■ Electrical systems and emergency power supply
■ Steering gear and controls
■ Controls and alarms
■ Cargo system
■ Shafting and foundations
■ Anchor windlass
■ Safety systems (relief valves
and shut downs)
■ Pumping and piping systems
■ Starting air systems

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Special Survey Machinery

● Examination and operation of:

● Diesel engines
● Sea valves
● Emergency fire pump foot valve
● Oil pollution equipment
● Dock trials
● Arrangements for flammable
fluids
● Propulsion thrusters

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Continuous Machinery Survey Cycle

● For normal CMS cycle all parts to be examined over

five year period
● Approximately 20 % per year
● Overdue parts prevent annual machinery survey from
being credited
● Surveyor may grant short extensions

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Items that ABS Surveyor Should See
● Main engine:
■ Main engine cross head pins and bearings
■ Main engine crank pins and bearings
■ Main engine bearings and journals
■ HP and LP turbines, flexible couplings and reduction gears
■ Main thrust bearing
■ Safety devices and trips
● Electrical general:
■ Generator turbine, flexible couplings, thrust bearing and
reduction gear
■ Safety devices and trips

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Suspension/Cancellation of Classification

● SVR 1-1-2/3 - Notice of surveys

■ It is the responsibility of the owner
■ ABS will notify an owner of upcoming surveys and
outstanding recommendations
■ The Seven Letter procedure

● SVR 1-1-7/7.1 - Suspension of Class

■ Suspension of classification is a withdrawal of all
representations by ABS as to a vessel or structure
● SVR 1-1-11/11.1 – Cancellation of Class
■ If the circumstances leading to suspension of class are not
corrected within the time specified, the vessel’s class will
be cancelled
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Loss of Anchor and Chain

● ABS rule 3-5-1 requires two anchors, so if one anchor is

reported lost
■ Owner to be advised that tug escort required in port area
and navigating in restricted waters
■ Flag administration to be advised (if required)
■ Main engine on standby at anchorage on Marshall Island
flag vessels
● Both anchors are missing, vessel cannot sail
● ABS surveyor to witness paying out of existing anchor

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 Class v. Statutory

• Class is as we have previously discussed we survey according to

the Steel Vessel Rules (SVR)
• Statutory Surveys ie SLE, SLR SLC, Gas Code, IOPP we act on the
behalf of the vessels flag, in your case Marshall Island.
• There are items that cross over and are both Class and Statutory
examples, OWS, fire pumps, gas code.
• For a defect of a class item ABS will issue an ‘OSR’ this is an
outstanding recommendation. The OSR will have a date, should the
OSR not be rectified within the timescale the vessel will be class
suspended.
• For a defect of a statutory item ABS will issue an OSD, this is an
outstanding deficiency. Cont.
 Class v. Statutory.

• Apart from issuing an OSD, ABS will contact the flag administration
for authorisation to issue a short term certificate.
• ABS does not issue dispensation letters.
• ABS does not issue any certificates without attendance.
• A dispensation letter is issued by the flag and allows a vessel to sail
to a port to rectify the defect. Flags will not allow a vessel to sail
from port to port on a dispensation letter.
 Classification &
Statutory Surveys

SOLAS

v1.4, 20 April 2010 34

SOLAS Survey Types

● Safety Radio (SLR) ● Items to be

surveyed are
● Safety Equipment (SLE)
contained in
● Safety Construction (SLC) Chapter I,
Regulations 7,8,9,
● Inspection of the outside of
and 10
the ships bottom required

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SOLAS: Survey & Certificate Intervals

Solas 1974 1988 Protocol (HSSC)

SLR 1 Year 5 Years
SLE 2 Years 5 Years
SLC 5 Years 5 Years

● Most flag Administrations now follow the HSSC

system for survey and certificate intervals
● Annual , Intermediate, Periodical, and Renewal
Surveys are required to maintain the validity of the
associated certificates
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Safety Radio: Chapter IV (GMDSS)

Specifications

Watchkeeping
Sea Areas

Log book
Equipment

Survival craft

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SLR: Surveys

● Radio technician performs the operation testing and

certification of the equipment
● Radio technician must be ABS approved external
specialist
● Surveyor to verify
Radio technicians
report and should
witness some of the
technicians work
during course
of testing

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SLE: LSA Maintenance/Testing by Crew

● Application (on/after 1 July 2006)

■ All cargo ships > 500 gt
■ All passenger ships
● Inspections/testing by crew
■ Weekly
■ All survival craft, rescue boats
and their launching appliances
■ Engines to be run at least three
minutes
■ Lifeboats moved from stowed
position

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SLE: LSA Maintenance/Testing by Crew

● Monthly
■ All survival craft, rescue boats and their launching
appliances, using checksheet required by III/36.1
■ Lifeboats turned out from stowed position
■ Rescue boat launched with crew and maneuvered, if
practicable
● Every Three Months
■ Lifeboats launched and maneuvered by crew
■ Rescue boat launched with crew and maneuvered
● SLE Survey
■ Check record book for inspections and tests
■ If no records, tests to be performed and ISM RO (PR 17)
notified
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 SLE: LSA Maintenance/Testing by Class

● Application
■ All cargo ships > 500 gt and all passenger ships
■ Implementation on/after 1 July 2006
● Required examinations and testing
● SLE Annual Survey
■ Launching appliances and on-load
release gear subject to thorough exam
■ Winch brake test (no–load)
■ Operational test of on–load release gear
■ Surveyor attendance is not required if service
June 06
provider is manufacturer or certified by manufacturer
(review ship’s log/onboard documentation)

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 SLE: LSA Maintenance/Testing by Class

● Every 5 years (SLE Renewal)

■ Winch brake dynamic test of (110% MWL)
■ Surveyor attendance required
● When on-load release gear is overhauled:
■ Minimum – once/5 years
■ Operational test at 110% of
rated full load
■ Surveyor attendance required
June 06

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 SLE: LSA Maintenance/Testing

● Lifeboat On-load Release Gear:

■ SOLAS III/20.11 – Thorough exam, operational test and
overhaul carried out by “properly trained personnel familiar
with the system”
■ IACS UI SC144 – considers these personnel to be
“competent persons familiar with the on-load system and
would include, but is not necessarily limited to,
manufacturers representatives, or shipyard engineers or a
specialist vendor, certified by a manufacturer”.
■ MSC.1/Circ.1206 recommends,
“manufacturer’s representative
June 06 or a person appropriately trained
and certified by…manufacturer”

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 SLE: LSA Maintenance/Testing

● MSC.1/Circ.1206 – identifies items to be thoroughly

examined:
■ Operation of devices/cables to activate release gear
■ Excessive free play
■ Hook fastening
■ Hydrostatic interlock system, if fitted
● ABS: “Properly Trained Personnel”:
■ Third-party service facility
■ SY with documented experience
■ Ship’s officer which has:
June 06
► Three months experience
► Access to M&R manuals
► Company authorization
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SLE: LSA Maintenance/Testing

● Freefall Lifeboat Testing – Primary Means

■ Required every six months
■ Launched by personnel with their operating crew onboard
or a simulated launching carried out
■ Simulated launching* allows:
► Crew training
► Verification of free-fall release
system
● Restraining device(s) provided
by manufacturer

*See MSC.1/Circ.1206
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SLE: LSA Maintenance/Testing

● Freefall Lifeboat Testing Secondary Means

■ Annual exam and operational tests
■ Typical design is hydraulic – in this case no winch brake
testing
■ Report to state that design was checked and testing N/A

See MSC.1/Circ.1206
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SLE: LSA Maintenance/Testing

● Lack of maintenance – fortunately no one hurt

● Unacceptable repair

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SLE: Lifejackets

● To be provided for entire crew with additional lifejackets

located throughout the vessel as specified by SOLAS and
vessels flag Administration

● Example locations for provision of additional lifejackets

include: manned watch stations – bridge, engine room, bow
area
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 SLE: Immersion Suits

● Application
■ All cargo ships > 500 gt
■ All passenger ships
■ Implementation by first safety equipment survey >
1 July 2006
■ Exemptions – ships (except bulk carriers) constantly
engaged in warm climate operation (defined by flag)
● Requirements
■ One suit per person
■ Generally not a substitute
June 06 for a lifejacket

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SLE: Additional Immersion Suits

● Number and Location

■ Stowed at same locations as additional lifejackets
► A) Navigation bridge (See picture below)
► B) Engine control room (See picture below)
► C) Forward and/or aft liferaft locations (if > 100 m from
required survival craft), muster stations, embarkation stations,
etc. (see also UI SC213) (See picture below)
► Any additional watch station
► Bow lookout (if not stowed at fwd liferaft)
► Number of persons normally occupying above locations
dictate number of suits.
● Flag State-specific instructions
■ Bahamas, Cyprus,
Denmark, Germany, A
Greece, Isle of Man,
Liberia, Malta, B
Panama, Singapore C

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SLE: EPIRB Maintenance & Testing

● Application
■ All cargo ships > 300 gt
■ All passenger ships
● Implementation
■ SLR Surveys on/after 1 July 2006
■ Check test reports
● Maintenance and Testing Requirements
■ Annual Testing to be done +/- 3 months of SLR Anniversary Date
■ Shore-based maintenance (SBM) every 5 years, 1st SBM by
30 June 2011
■ Testing facility approved by Administration or IACS (UR Z17)
■ To be fitted with tamper-proof seal at completion of SBM
■ Maintenance interval may be aligned with replacement date of
battery
■ MSC/Circ.1039 (SBM) and MSC/Circ.1040 (Annual Testing) are
incorporated in GMDSS-TECH checksheet

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 SLE: Voyage Data Recorders (VDR)
Recorded Data VDR SVDR
Date and Time ■ ■
Ship’s Position ■ ■
Speed / Heading ■ ■
Bridge Audio ■ ■
Communication (VHF) ■ ■
Radar ■
■1
AIS
Echo Sounder ■ ●

Main Alarms ■ ●
Rudder Order/Response ■ ●
Engine Order/Response ■ ●
Hull Opening Status ■ ● 1 = AIS, only if Radar data
is not provided directly
WT/Fire Door Status ■ ● or via COTS interface
Hull Stress/Accl (if fitted) ■ ● ■ = required
● = required only if in
Wind Speed/Direction ■ ●
IEC 61162-2 format

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SLE: Major Deficiencies

● Any damage to lifeboats so that they are unusable

● Missing life rafts
● Inoperative main or emergency fire pump
● Inoperative fixed fire extinguishing system
● Sufficient amount of minor deficiencies to be
considered a major deficiency

No sail items

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SLE: Minor Deficiencies

● Inflatable life raft inspection overdue

● Servicing of inflatable life rafts overdue
● Lab test of foam sample
● Expired flares, etc.
● All the above can be rectified by mail with letter from
vessels captain and copy of invoice/certificate from
supplier of equipment or ABS approved/accepted
inspection company

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