Guide for Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program

GUIDE FOR

HULL INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

PROGRAM

MARCH 2007

American Bureau of Shipping

Incorporated by Act of Legislature of
the State of New York 1862

Copyright © 2007
American Bureau of Shipping
ABS Plaza
16855 Northchase Drive
Houston, TX 77060 USA
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Foreword

Foreword
This is the first edition of the Guide for Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program. The initiative by
the Bureau was introduced to assist Owners with the development of a reliable Maintenance Program
based on proper inspection and reporting techniques, by qualified inspectors.
The program is intended to assist owners by monitoring of the vessel’s hull condition on a regular
basis and using proactive steps with scheduling of maintenance. This program will also enable
Owners to better plan for maintenance issues resulting from corrosion or damage that may cause
costly down time and delays in the vessel’s scheduling.
ABS supports the implementation of a proactive hull maintenance program complying with self-
imposed standards and the requirements in this Guide in conjunction with the normal classification
surveys as a means to continuously evaluate and maintain the vessel’s hull structural condition.

ABS GUIDE FOR HULL INSPECTION AND MAINTNANCE PROGRAM . 2007 iii
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GUIDE FOR
HULL INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM

CONTENTS
SECTION 1 Introduction ............................................................................1
1 General ..................................................................................1
1.1 IACS PR 33 Owner’s Hull Inspection and Maintenance
Schemes ........................................................................... 1
3 Purpose..................................................................................1
5 Scope.....................................................................................1
5.1 Statutory Requirements .................................................... 2

SECTION 2 Program Requirements .........................................................3

1 Age and Type of Vessel.........................................................3
3 Surveys ..................................................................................3
5 Damages................................................................................3
7 Implementation Surveys ........................................................3
9 Periodical Surveys to Maintain the Hull Inspection and
Maintenance Program............................................................4
11 Cancellation of Program ........................................................4
13 Fees .......................................................................................4

SECTION 3 Submission Requirements....................................................5

1 Details to be Submitted..........................................................5
3 Expectations of the Hull Inspection and Maintenance
Manual ...................................................................................6
5 Qualified Inspector Training...................................................7

SECTION 4 Onboard Documentation .......................................................9

1 General ..................................................................................9

APPENDIX 1 References and Definitions.................................................11

1 References...........................................................................11
3 Definitions ............................................................................11

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 Section 1: Introduction

SECTION 1 Introduction

1 General
The Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program is being offered by ABS to assist those Owners and
Operators who take an active role in inspecting and maintaining their vessels in optimum working
condition.
Vessels enrolled in this program will be eligible for class notation HIMP, which will be entered in the
Record.
This Guide details the procedures and conditions associated with the development and implementation
of an approved Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program which when performed by qualified inspectors
may be used as information to assist in documenting and assessing the condition of the hull. This
information will be used by the Surveyor when carrying out Rule-required hull surveys.
A hull inspection or maintenance plan does not, under any condition, supersede the judgment of an
ABS Surveyor, nor does it waive ABS Surveyor attendance for the periodic surveys necessary for
maintenance of Class, including damage and repair as required by the ABS Rules for Building and
Classing Steel Vessels, including the ABS Rules for Survey After Construction (Part 7).

1.1 IACS PR 33 Owner’s Hull Inspection and Maintenance Schemes

Owner’s hull inspection and maintenance schemes are to be encouraged as a means for maintaining
compliance with classification and statutory requirements between surveys. However, these schemes
are not to be accepted as an alternative to, or a substitute for, the performance of required classification
and/or statutory surveys of the hull by the Surveyors of the Society, or of another duly authorized
Society. The Surveyors may be assisted, where appropriate, by service suppliers as defined in UR Z17.

3 Purpose
This Guide sets forth requirements for the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program and is to be used
to assist ship Owners, managers and operators in the development and improvement of maintenance
management systems.

5 Scope
This Guide is intended to address the requirements for the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program
and should be used in conjunction with the applicable ABS Rule Requirements.
These requirements are applicable to those features that are permanent in nature and can be verified
by plan review, calculation, physical survey or any other means.

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Section 1 Introduction

5.1 Statutory Requirements

The application of this Guide does not cover any statutory survey requirements that may apply to the
vessel being considered (e.g., Load Line, SOLAS, MARPOL).
Although ABS is authorized to perform statutory surveys on behalf of many flag states, ABS is not in
a position to alter or waive the requirements. The administration or regulatory body is the final
determining body for statutory or regulatory requirements under their jurisdiction.

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 Section 2: Program Requirements

SECTION 2 Program Requirements

In order to enroll and remain in the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program (HIMP), vessels should
meet the following conditions:

1 Age and Type of Vessel

There is no limit on the age of a vessel when entered into the program. The program is eligible to all
types of classed vessels. However, when an existing vessel applies to enter the program, the ABS
Classification Department will conduct a review of the vessel’s Survey History to ascertain the details
of the hull structure, previous hull damages, open recommendations and tank coating conditions.
Upon completion of this review, Owners will be notified of any issues, which could affect the Hull
Inspection and Maintenance Program. Those vessels which are considered to be in satisfactory
condition will be eligible for the program.
To assist in the ABS review of existing vessels seeking to enter the program, Owners may support the
application with details of their in place maintenance programs.

3 Surveys
Surveys related to the vessel are to be up-to-date, and without outstanding recommendations, which
would affect the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program.

5 Damages
Outstanding recommendations/conditions of class related to the vessel’s hull, should be rectified prior
to the vessel being able to participate in the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program.
Damage, failure, deterioration or repair to hull, which affects or may affect classification, is to be
submitted by the Owners or their representatives for examination by a Surveyor at first opportunity.
All repairs found necessary by the Surveyor are to be carried out to the Surveyor’s satisfaction.

7 Implementation Surveys
The implementation survey is to be carried out by an ABS Surveyor within one year from the date of
the Bureau’s letter approving the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program.
When the Owner’s Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program has been found to be acceptable, a
report confirming the implementation of the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program is to be
submitted by the attending Surveyor to the Bureau’s Classification Department, and the program may
be put into service, with the notation being added to the vessel’s record.

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Section 2 Program Requirements

9 Periodical Surveys to Maintain the Hull Inspection and

Maintenance Program
Following the implementation survey, the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program will be subject
to annual confirmation surveys simultaneously with each Annual Survey – Hull. The Surveyor is to
review and verify the following information during each Annual Survey – Hull:
i) Vessel’s Status and History
ii) Approved Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program Manual is onboard and complete.
iii) Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program information is being updated and the planned
inspections are being carried out and reported upon by a Qualified Inspector responsible for
maintaining the details of the program as required.
iv) General review of HIMP inspections accomplished within the previous year is to be carried
out in association with the due classification surveys.
v) If the inspection report(s) indicate damages or other defects that affect or may affect classification,
then the affected area is to be examined.
Upon satisfactory completion of the above requirements, the Hull Inspection and Maintenance
Program will be accepted by the Bureau for continued use.
Note: During other classification surveys such as the Intermediate and Special Periodical or Continuous Survey – Hull,
the records of the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program are to be made available for the attending Surveyor(s)
to review prior to conducting the survey.

11 Cancellation of Program
The class notation for Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program may be cancelled by the Bureau if
the program is not being satisfactorily carried out, should either the maintenance records or the
general condition of the hull structure be determined to be unacceptable.
Sale or change of management of vessel or transfer of class is to be cause for reconsideration of the
approval and notation may be dismissed at such time until an updated plan is resubmitted for approval.
The Owner may at any time cancel the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program by informing the
Bureau in writing.

13 Fees
Fees will be charged for the initial review and implementation survey in addition to annual verification
fee.
For information regarding fees related to this program, please contact the Divisional Vice President:
ABS Americas ABS Pacific ABS Europe
16855 Northchase Drive 438 Alexandra Point No. 1 Frying Pan Alley
Houston, Texas Singapore 119958 London, E1 7HR
USA Phone: (65) 6276 8700 United Kingdom
77060-6008 Fax: (65) 6276 8711 Phone: (44) 20 7247 3255
Phone: (281) 877 5800 Fax: (44) 20 7375 3236
Fax: (281) 877 5803

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 Section 3: Submission Requirements

SECTION 3 Submission Requirements

1 Details to be Submitted
The Owner is responsible for submitting a comprehensive Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program
manual to the ABS Divisional Assistant Chief Surveyor’s Office for approval. The Owner’s hull
maintenance program manual is to include the following:
i) Confirmation that the Company has a Safety Policy and enclosed space entry procedures in
place. (For information only)
ii) Complete list of hull spaces and areas, (i.e., cargo holds, cargo tanks, ballast tanks, voids,
cofferdams, pipe tunnels, etc) covered by the Owner’s Hull Inspection and Maintenance program.
iii) Details of any coating application and condition for each of the above spaces
iv) General Arrangement
v) Midship Section
vi) Inspection intervals corresponding to each item or group of items
vii) Maintenance descriptions for each item detailing the minimum work necessary to demonstrate
that a satisfactory examination of the item will be made.
viii) Sample reporting and recording procedures to demonstrate that Hull Inspection and Maintenance
Program is working properly onboard. There is to be a system for reporting the following
information to the Owners/Management office and for recording onboard:
• Details of the inspections carried out (details are to include proper structure identification
such as tank/hold information, frame number, deck, shell plating, stringers, bulkheads and
longitudinals as identified on the vessel’s drawings)
• The conditions as found
• Any findings, repairs or maintenance undertaken
ix) Selection of designated Qualified Inspectors that conduct the inspections, including name,
title and date of last related training.
x) Training Information of Qualified Inspectors to carry out these inspections (ABS/Owner
Training Program to be submitted).

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Section 3 Submission Requirements

3 Expectations of the Hull Inspection and Maintenance

Manual
The inspections performed in accordance with the HIMP manual are not intended to prevent the
Owner from carrying out occasional or additional inspections and maintenance as a result of an
unexpected failure or event (such as damage resulting from heavy weather or cargo loading/unloading
operation) which may affect the hull or equipment condition. When occasional inspections and
maintenance are carried out, the details should be recorded in the Hull Inspection and Maintenance
Manual as part of the record. If any deficiency which affects or may effect classification is discovered
during the HIMP, it is to be submitted by the Owner or Operator for examination by a Surveyor at the
first opportunity in accordance with 7-1-1/7 of the Rules for Survey After Construction
The following survey details are expected to be examined and reported on in the Hull Inspection and
Maintenance Manual annually by the qualified inspector.
i) Deck area structure
ii) Ballast Tanks and Cargo/Ballast tanks including peak tanks
a. Structure
b. Coating Condition
iii) Hatch covers and access hatches with closing appliances
iv) Deck equipment, deck fittings
v) Piping and supports
vi) Superstructures and deckhouses, including doors and closing appliances
vii) Shell plating
viii) Cargo holds, cargo tanks and spaces
ix) Voids and/or cofferdams
x) Fresh water tanks
xi) Fuel oil and lube oil tanks
xii) Other accessible spaces
xiii) Sea connections and overboard discharges
xiv) Pipe ducts / tunnels
xv) Longitudinal box girders and cross deck box beams
The annual inspection date for Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program should occur between the
regularly scheduled Class Surveys.

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Section 3 Submission Requirements

5 Qualified Inspector Training

The vessel’s designated Qualified Inspector that will be carrying out the inspections for the Hull
Inspection and Maintenance Program is to undergo training prior to being accepted as Qualified for
this program.
The training can be done either internally or externally as decided by the Owner/Operator. As a
minimum, the training program should include topics such as method of approach for surveying ship
structure, coating evaluation, terminology of applicable ship structure, classification surveys, typical
hull defects and/or critical areas associated with the ship type, acceptance and evaluation criteria,
reporting, etc.
Details of the training program are to be submitted to ABS, the Assistant Chief Surveyor’s Office, for
review prior to acceptance.
If requested by the Owner/Operator, ABS can provide this training.

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 Section 4: Onboard Documentation

SECTION 4 Onboard Documentation

1 General
Each vessel in this program will be expected to maintain onboard the following information in
association with the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program:
i) List of Inspectors qualified to conduct the inspections for the vessel or similar documentation
of qualification
ii) Copy of the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program Manual
iii) Inspection reports and associated photographs
iv) Structural drawings for the vessel

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 Appendix 1: References and Definitions

APPENDIX 1 References and Definitions

1 References
During the development of the Hull Planned Maintenance Program manuals, and surveys onboard,
reference should be made to the following documents as applicable:
• ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels
• ABS Guide for Nondestructive Inspection of Hull Welds
• IACS Recommendation 87 – Guidelines for Coatings Maintenance and Repairs
• ABS/IACS Common Structural Rules
• IACS Container Ships: Guidelines for Surveys, Assessment and Repair of Hull Structures.
• IACS Bulk Carriers: Guidelines for Surveys, Assessment and Repair of Hull Structures.
• IACS – Guidance for the Inspection and Maintenance of Double Hull Tanker Structures
• IACS – Guidance Manual for Tanker Structures
• IACS – Shipbuilding and Repair Quality Standard – SARQS
• TSCF – Tanker Structure Co-operative Forum – Guidelines for the Inspection and Maintenance of
Double Hull Tanker Structures.
• TSCF – Tanker Structure Co-operative Forum – Guidance Manual for the Inspection and Condition
Assessment of Tanker Structures.

3 Definitions
The definitions that are applicable and shall apply to this Guide can be found in 7-1-1/3 of the ABS
Rules for Survey After Construction (Part 7).

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