Chapter 1 Classification of Steel Ship
1.6 Surveys of Steel Ships
(a) All ships classed with the Society are subjected to the following periodical surveys:
(i) Annual surveys.
(ii) Bottom surveys.
(iii) Intermediate surveys.
(iv) Special surveys.
(v) Boiler surveys and thermal oil heater surveys.
(vi) Propeller shaft and tube shaft surveys.
(b) The contents of surveys by the Society are detailed in the "Survey Requirements of Steel Ships" in Chapter 2 of this Part.
(c) Special consideration may be given to any unusual circumstances justifying a modification of either survey requirements or the interval of surveys. This Society may make special requirements including intervals of periodical surveys to coincide with the regulations of the flag state of ships if owner requests.
(d) Statutory survey will be acted by this Society, when authorized on behalf of Governments, in respect of National and International statutory safety and other requirements for passenger and cargo ships.
1.6 Surveys of Steel Ships
(e) Survey planning meeting(Kick- off meeting) is to be held prior to the commencement of the intermediate survey and special survey.
1.6.2 Classification initial survey during construction
(a) New ships are to be built in accordance with the Rules. The constructional plans and particulars of the hull, equipment and machinery, together with their drawing list, are to be submitted for approval of the Society before the work is commenced. In case these plans need to be modified or altered, a re -approval is indispensable.
(b) The new machinery including boilers, pressure vessels and electrical equipment for ships classed or intended to be classed is to be manufactured under and surveyed according to the Rules.
(c) From the commencement of the work until the completion of the ship and final test of the machinery under working condition, the Surveyors are to be satisfied that the materials, workmanship and arrangements are satisfactory and in accordance with the Rules or the approved plans, or any material, workmanship or arrangement found to be unsatisfactory, it is to be rectified.
(d) The materials used in the construction of hulls and machinery intended for classification are to be of good quality and free defects and are to be tested in accordance with the requirements of Part XI. The steel is to be manufactured by an approved process at works recognized by the Society. Alternatively, tests to the satisfaction of the Society will be required to demonstrate the suitability of the steel.
(e) Copies of finish plans (showing the ship as built), essential Certificates and records, required loading and other instruction manuals are to be readily available for use when required by the Surveyor, and may be required to be kept on board.
(f) Hull Survey for New Construction
(i) Qualification and Monitoring of Personnel
Exclusive surveyors of this Society are to confirm through patrol, review and witness that the ships are built using approved plans in accordance with the relevant rules and statutory requirements. The surveyors are to be qualified to be able to carry out the tasks and procedures are to be in place to ensure that their activities are monitored through the QM of this Society.
(ii) Survey of the hull structure
IACS UR Z23 Table 1 provides a list of surveyable items for the hull structure and coating and is applicable to this Society including:
(1) Description of the shipbuilding functions;
(2) Classification and statutory survey requirements;
(3) Survey method required for classification;
(4) Relevant IACS and statutory requirement references;
(5) Documentation to be available for the classification surveyor during construction.
- The shipbuilder is to provide the classification surveyors access to documentation required by classification, this includes documentation retained by the shipbuilder or other third parties.
- The list of documents approved or reviewed by this Society for the specific new construction are as follows:
plans and supporting documents examination and testing plans NDE plans
welding consumable details welding procedure specifications welding plan or details
welder's qualification records NDE operator's qualification records
(6) Documents to be inserted into the ship construction file.
1.6 Surveys of Steel Ships
(7) A list of specific activities which are relevant to the shipbuilding functions. This list is not exhaustive and can be modified to reflect the construction facilities or specific ship type.
(8) Evidence is also to be made available, as required, by the shipbuilder, to the surveyor whilst the construction process proceeds to prove that the material and equipment supplied to the ship has been built or manufactured under survey relevant to the classification rules and statutory requirements.
(iii) Newbuilding survey planning
Prior to commencement of surveys for any newbuilding project, a kick off meeting shall be carried out.
A record of the meeting is to be made. The records are to take note of specific published Administration requirements and interpretations of statutory requirements. The shipyard shall be requested to advise of any changes to the activities agreed at the kick off meeting and these are to be documented. Shipbuilding quality standards for the hull structure during new construction are to be reviewed and agreed during the kick-off meeting. Structural fabrication is to be carried out in accordance with IACS Recommendation 47, "Shipbuilding and Repair Quality Standard", or a recognized fabrication standard which has been accepted by this Society prior to the commencement of fabrication/construction. The work is to be carried out in accordance with the Rules and under survey of this Society. In the event of series ship production consideration may be given to waiving the requirement for a kick off meeting for the second and subsequent ships.
(iv) Examination and test plan for newbuilding activities. The shipbuilder is to provide plans of the items which are intended to be examined and tested. These plans need not be submitted for approval and examination at the time of the kick off meeting, but the plans and any modifications to them are to be submitted to the surveyors in sufficient time to allow review before the relevant survey activity commences. They are to include:
(1) Proposals for the examination of completed steelwork - generally referred to as the block plan and are to include details of joining blocks together at the pre-erection and erection stages or at other relevant stages;
(2) Proposals for fit up examinations where necessary;
(3) Proposals for testing of the structure (leak and hydrostatic) as well as for all watertight and weathertight closing appliances;
(4) Proposals for non-destructive examination;
(5) Any other proposals specific to the ship type or to the statutory requirements.
(v) Ship Construction File
(1) The shipbuilder is to deliver documents for the Ship Construction File. In the event that items have been provided by another party such as the shipowner and where separate arrangements have been made for document delivery which excludes the shipbuilder, that party has the responsibility. The Ship Construction File shall be reviewed for content.
(2) Ship Construction File on board the ship, is to facilitate inspection (survey) and repair and maintenance, shall include in addition to documents listed in IACS Z23 Table 1, but not be limited to:
- As-built structural drawings including scantling details, material details, and, as applicable, wastage allowances, location of butts and seams, cross section details and locations of all partial and full penetration welds, areas identified for close attention and rudders (IACS Z7.1, Z7.2, Z10.1, Z10.2, Z10.3, Z10.4, Z10.5);
- Manuals required for classification and statutory requirements, e.g. loading and stability, bow doors and inner doors and side shell doors and stern doors – operations and maintenance manuals (IACS S8 and S9);
- Ship structure access manual, as applicable;
- Copies of certificates of forgings and castings welded into the hull (IACS W7 and W8);
- Details of equipment forming part of the watertight and weathertight integrity of the ship;
- Tank testing plan including details of the test requirements (IACS S14);
- Corrosion protection specifications (IACS Z8 and Z9);
1.6 Surveys of Steel Ships
- Details for the in-water survey, if applicable, information for divers, clearances measurements instructions etc., tank and compartment boundaries;
- Docking plan and details of all penetrations normally examined at drydocking;
- Coating Technical File, for ships subject to compliance with the IMO Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC) as a class requirement under the IACS Common Structural Rules.
(vi) Review of the construction facility
The Society is to familiarize themselves with the yard's production facilities, management processes, and safety for consideration in complying with the requirements of Table 1 of IACS UR Z23 prior to any steelwork or construction taking place in the following circumstances:
(1) where the Society has none or no recent experience of the construction facilities – typically after a one year lapse - or when significant new infrastructure has been added;
(2) where there has been a significant management or personnel re-structuring having an impact on the ship construction process;
(3) or where the shipbuilder contracts to construct a vessel of a different type or substantially different in design.
1.6.3 Classification survey of ships not built under survey
Ships which have not been built under survey to the Society, but which are submitted for classification, are to be subjected to a classification survey of ships not built under survey (See 2.16 of this Part). Survey planning meeting(Kick- off meeting) is to be held prior to the commencement of the survey.
1.6.4 Special survey (a) Survey intervals
The special survey is to be subjected to surveys at the fixed intervals not exceeding five years. Special surveys are normally to be effected in the sequences of :
No.1 - for ships up to 5 years old.
No.2 - for ships between 5-10 years old.
No.3 - for ships between 10-15 years old.
No.4 & subsequent - for ships age > 15 years old.
(b) Commencement of special survey
(i) The special survey may be commenced at the 4th annual survey and be progressed with a view to completion by the 5th anniversary date.
(ii) As part of the preparation for the special survey, the thickness measurement held and survey plan (see 2.1.5(a) of this Part) are to be dealt with in advance of the special survey. However, the thickness measurement held before the 4th annual survey cannot be credited as a part of special survey.
(c) Premature of special survey
(i) If a special survey is completed prematurely but within three months prior to the due date, the due date of the next special survey is based upon a date not exceeding five years from the due date of the existing special survey.
(ii) Where a special survey is commenced more than three months prior to the range of the 4th annual survey, the entire survey is normally to be completed within fifteen months, if such work is to be credited to the special survey. Survey is based upon a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of completion of the special survey.
(d) Extension of special surveys
(i) If a ship at the time when the special survey is due but not in a port in which it is to be surveyed, the Society may upon the Owner's written request in advance in each case extend a period not exceeding three months. Such extension is, however, only to be granted for allowing the ship to
1.6 Surveys of Steel Ships
complete its voyage to the port in which it is to be surveyed, and only in cases where it is considered proper and reasonable to do so.
(ii) If a special survey is completed after the due date, the due date of the next special survey is based upon a date not exceeding five years from the due date of the existing special survey.
(iii) A maximum three months extension of special survey beyond the due date may be granted provided an occasional survey has been carried out satisfactorily based on a scope of annual survey and the additional items considered by the Head Office of the Society.
(e) If a special survey has been completed and a new final certificate can't be issued or placed on board the ship before the expiry date of the existing certificate, the attending Surveyor authorized by the Society may endorse the existing certificate and such a certificate is to be accepted as valid for a further period which is not to exceed six months from the expiry date.
(f) Continuous survey
(i) At the request of the owner, and upon approval of the proposed arrangement, a system of continuous surveys for hull, machinery and cargo refrigerating machinery appliances, may be undertaken, except for hull surveys of tankers, bulk carriers and similar types of ships, where-by the special survey requirements are carried out in regular cycle to complete all the requirements of the particular special survey within a five-year period. If the continuous survey is completed beyond the five-year period, the completion date is to be recorded to agree with the original due date of the cycle. If the continuous survey is completed prematurely but within three months prior to the due date, the special survey is to be credited to agree with the effective due date. The continuous survey can, also be adopted respectively for the hull, the machinery including the electrical equipment and the refrigerated cargo installations.
(ii) Where some items of the machinery are opened up and examined by the recognized chief engi neer as normal routine for maintenance at ports where the Surveyor is not available or at sea, the open -up inspection of the items, at the request of Owner, under certain conditions, may be dispensed with at the discretion of the Surveyor subject to a confirmatory survey at the convenient port of call where the Surveyor is available. The confirmatory survey is to be carried out within five months from the date of the item of the machinery which was opened up and inspected by the recognized chief engineer. If deemed necessary by the Surveyor, the individual item may be inspected again.
(iii) All items stipulated in 2.7.1, 2.7.2 and 2.7.3 except thickness measurement are covered by a system of continuous survey for hull. The thickness measurement for the vessel which adopts a system of continuous survey for hull conducted before the 4th annual survey cannot be credited for the special survey.
(g) Planned machinery maintenance scheme(PMS)
An approved PMS is considered as an alternative to continuous survey for machinery specified in (f).
(i) Application
The PMS, in principle, apply to those items of machinery and equipment installed on the following ships which are to comply with International Safety Management Code adopted by IMO.
(1) The ships are to be less than fifteen years old.
(2) The ships operated by Owners/ship management companies have the maintenance system fixed satisfactorily.
(ii) Survey for PMS
(1) Initial survey for PMS
The initial survey is to be carried out by the Surveyor within one year from the date of approval of PMS, and it is to be verified that the planned machinery maintenance is carried out in accordance with the approved scheme.
(2) Annual survey for PMS
The annual survey is to be carried out at each class periodical survey and it is to be verified that the planned machinery maintenance is carried out by the recognized chief engineer in accordance with the approved machinery maintenance scheme and survey schedule table and recorded correctly and that the machinery is in good order.
1.6 Surveys of Steel Ships
(3) Open-up survey
The following machinery is, in principle, to be opened and examined in attendance of the Surveyor in accordance with the survey schedule table.
- Crankpins and bearings, crank-journals and bearings for main diesel engines.
- Rotors, blades, casings, main bearings, couplings between turbine and reduction gear, nozzle valves and maneuvering valves for main steam turbine.
- Aux. steam turbine for main generator.
- Thrust shaft and bearings for main propulsion.
- Reduction gear for main propulsion.
- Flexible coupling for main propulsion.
- Other items deemed necessary by the Society.
(4) Occasional survey
Where serious damage is found on the important components/machinery, occasional survey is to be carried out by the Surveyor.
(iii) For engine with bore 300 mm or under of the non-ocean going vessels, special consideration may be given to modify the above PMS requirements based on the manufacturer's recommendation of maintenance manual.
1.6.5 Annual survey
(a) Annual survey are to be carried out within three months either way of each anniversary date after the date of build or the assigned date of a previous special survey.
(b) The anniversary date is to be changed if the annual survey is completed before the period specified in (a) of this subparagraph.
(i) The new anniversary date is to be amended by endorsement to a date which is not three months later than the date on which the survey was completed.
(ii) The subsequent annual survey is to be completed at the intervals prescribed as above using the new anniversary date.
(iii) The expiry date for a special survey may remain unchanged provided one or more annual surveys, as appropriate, are carried out so that the maximum intervals between the surveys prescribed are not exceed.
1.6.6 Intermediate surveys
Intermediate surveys are to be carried out at the second or third annual survey after the classification initial survey during construction or a special survey. Annual surveys are not required to be carried out when an intermediate survey is carried out. Parts of the intermediate surveys which are additional to the requirements of the annual survey may be surveyed either at or between the second or third annual survey.
1.6.7 Bottom survey (a) Survey intervals
(i) At least two bottom surveys are to be carried out during five year special survey period. In all cases, taking account of extension of special survey, the maximum interval between two bottom survey is not to exceed 36 months and one of the two bottom surveys required in each five year special survey period is to be coincided with the special survey. For vessels operating solely in fresh water, the maximum interval is not to exceed five years.
(ii) A maximum three months extension of bottom survey beyond the due date may be granted provided an occasional survey has been carried out satisfactorily with the survey items required by the Head Office of the Society.
(iii) For ESP ships exceeding fifteen years of age, bottom surveys are to be carried out in dry dock.
(b) In-water survey in lieu of bottom survey in dry dock
1.6 Surveys of Steel Ships
(i) An approved in-water survey equivalent to a docking survey may be considered as an alternative to a docking survey.
(ii) An in-water survey not credited as a bottom survey of the special survey may be carried out with the ship afloat. Special consideration is to be given to ships of fifteen years of age or over before being permitted to have such inspection.
(c) Bottom survey at special survey
A bottom survey in dry dock is to be a part of the special survey
(d) For passenger ships, the bottom surveys are to be carried out at each annual survey and special survey, at least two bottom surveys to be carried out in dry dock within each five years period of the classification special survey and the maximum interval between the two bottom survey in dry dock is not to exceed 36 months. The in-water surveys may be carried out and credited as the other bottom survey.
1.6.8 Propeller shaft and tube shaft survey (a) Survey intervals
(i) Water-lubrication bearings
The normal survey interval of the following propeller shaft is five years:
(1) For propeller shaft fitted with approved keyway and approved propeller hub, which are
(1) For propeller shaft fitted with approved keyway and approved propeller hub, which are