“Class“ Related Terms, Abbreviations and Acronyms

023 – January 2007

Glossary of “Class“ related terms, abbreviations and acronyms

Acceptance Criteria Assess The set of values or criteria which a design, To determine the degree of conformity of a design, product, service or process is required to conform product, service, process, system or organisation with in order to be accepted. with identified specifications, rules, standards or other normative documents. AIC Acceptance into Class The process by which unclassed vessels – Audit including vessels which are classed by a non-IACS A planned systematic and independent examination member or associate – can gain classification from to determine that the activities relative to a process an IACS member. Formal submission of plans and are documented, that these activities are actually information for design appraisal will usually be performed in conformance with what is stated in required in addition to a full survey. the documentation and that they are properly recorded and such as to reach contemplated Annual Survey objectives see Periodic Surveys CAP Condition Assessment Program Appraisal Structural assessment program devised by the A synonym for assessment, evaluation, verification classification societies ABS, LR and DNV. and review sometimes also for approval. Certificate Approval A formal document attesting compliance of a The examination and acceptance by the Society design, product, service or process with the of documents, products, procedures, services and specified requirements. other items related to classification and statutory certification, verifying solely their compliance Certificate of Registry with the relevant rules requirements, or other A document specifying the nation registry of the applicable referentials. vessel.

Approved Type Certification Product representative of continuous production Certification and auditing are recognised as a to which it is granted permission for use based valuable approach to ensure reliable delivery of upon a satisfactory appraisal. consistent products and services, while fostering

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continuous improvement. Certification is based Such a certificate does not imply, and should not be on the adherence to international statutory rules. construed as an express warranty of safety, fitness for A formal document attesting compliance of a purpose or seaworthiness of the ship. It is an attestation design, product, service or process with the only that the vessel is in compliance with the standards specified requirements. that have been developed and published by the society issuing the classification certificate. Class Notation As an independent, self-regulating body, a classification Attestation that the relevant components and society has no commercial interests related to ship design, materials have been certified in accordance with ship building, ship ownership, ship management, ship the applicable rules of the classification Society maintenance or repairs, insurance or chartering. for specific features In establishing its rules, each classification society may draw upon the advice and review of members of the Class Renewal/Special Survey industry who are considered experts in their field. see Periodic Surveys The class renewal surveys/special surveys include Classification is one element within a network of extensive out-of-water examinations to verify maritime safety partners, the other role is statutory that the structure, main and essential auxiliary certification. machinery, systems and equipment of the ship remain in a condition which satisfies the rules. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) is an umbrella convention concerned Classification with many aspects of the sea and its uses, including Classification means that a ship adheres to the the granting of registration of a ship by a State. Society’s own Classification rules, in other words – it is the appraisement of the level of compliance Once a ship is registered, the flag state has certain to the rules set up by the class society. duties laid out in UNCLOS. In particular, under This appraisement is represented by class marks Article 94, the flag state must “effectively exercise and notations entered on a certificate and its jurisdiction and control in administrative, periodically transcribed in the classification technical and social matters over ships flying its society’s register. flag” and take “such measures for ships flying its flag as are necessary to ensure safety at sea”. Remark: It is not compulsory by law that a ship owner has his International conventions have been agreed, vessel built according to the rules of any classification setting out uniform standards to facilitate accep- society, but in practice , the difficulty in securing tance of a ship registered in one country in the satisfactory insurance rates for an un-classed vessel waters and ports of another and in the general makes it a commercial obligation. furtherance of safety at sea and protection of the environment. These standards are commonly Classification Society referred to as “statutory” requirements. Broadly A classification society is an organisation that they cover three distinct areas: establishes and applies technical standards in relation to the design, construction and survey of • aspects of the ship’s design and its structural marine related facilities including ships and integrity offshore structures. • accident prevention • situation after an accident These standards are issued by the classification society as published rules. A vessel that has been Some or all of these may also be reproduced in designed and built to the appropriate rules of a particular class society’s rules. Society may apply for a certificate of classification from that Society. The Society issues this certificate Remark: There is a trend towards a shift from classifica- upon completion of relevant classification surveys. tion to certification societies. www.amem.at 023 – Glossary of “Class“ related terms, abbreviations and acronyms Page 3

Classification Survey critical areas and provide the basis for through-life A visual examination that normally consists of: maintenance.

• an overall examination of the items of survey Design Approval • detailed checks of selected parts The process whereby permission is granted for • witnessing tests, measurements and trials the design to be used for a stated purpose under where applicable specific conditions. It comprises design appraisal and validation, as applicable. Condition of Class see Recommendation DIN 50049 Certificates see Mill Test Certificates Conformity Compliance of a design, product, process or DOC Document of Compliance service with specific requirements. (ISM Code) Certificate provided by the Administration stating that the Owner/ CSR Common Structural Rules Management complies with the ISM Code. Three classification societies – ABS American Bureau of Shipping, DNV Det Norske Veritas and Documentation LR Lloyd’s Register have worked almost three The whole written data (including drawings, years on a joint development of new rules for procedures, specifications, etc.) necessary to tanker structure – the JTP Joint Tanker Project. describe a design, a process, a product or a Another IACS group – called JBP Joint Bulker service. Project – has worked on the development of new rules for bulk carrier structure. When both projects EMSA were presented the two sets of rules were not Established 2005 by DG TREN in the aftermath of technically harmonised. the Erika disaster, this Agency provides technical ABS, DNV and LR wanted to collect money from and scientific advice to the Commission in the their partners in IACS for their tanker rules and field of maritime safety and prevention of pollution IACS was facing enormous difficulties to settle the by ships via: the continuous process of evaluating dispute. Finally IACS decided to have Common the effectiveness of the measures in place; Structural Rules entering into force on 1 April providing assistance in updating and developing 2006, but they differ in some aspects with respect new legislation and monitoring its implementation. to their technical approach to those that have been developed for bulk carriers. Some of the key areas where the agency will provide such assistance to the Commission are: Design All relevant plans, documents and calculations • strengthening the Port State Control PSC describing the performance, installation and • assessing the Community-recognised manufacturing of a product. classification societies and • the establishment and management of a Design Appraisal Community vessel traffic monitoring system The verification and evaluation performed by a competent organisation. In general, it includes the ESP Enhanced Survey Program drawings approval and may include a type test The ESP applies to bulk carriers, tankers and witnessed by an inspector. chemical tankers. A design appraisal can also be an independent It has been reinforced by requiring Intermediate review against the requirements of a code, standard Surveys with an extended scope, matching that or specification. Design appraisals can help to of the preceding Special survey (including dry streamline the design and construction process, docking or underwater survey, as applicable) for improve safety and performance and identify ships exceeding 15 years of age. www.amem.at 023 – Glossary of “Class“ related terms, abbreviations and acronyms Page 4

EN 10204 Certificates Flag of Necessity see Mill Test Certificates see Flag of Convenience

ESP Enhanced Survey Program Flag State Flag State refers to that authority under which EurACS a country exercises regulatory control over EurACs is the association representing the classifi- commercial vessels registered under its flag. cation societies being members of IACS having This involves the inspection, certification, and head offices in European countries. issuance of safety and pollution prevention EurACS’ objective is to be the contact for the documents. European Commission and the EU maritime industries on research and development with the FSA Formal Safety Assessment purpose of improving maritime safety and the Study of risks which should improve the design of protection of the environment. ships, and also their actual maintenance.

EurACS has the chair of the strategic Planning Goal-based Principles group of the MIF Maritime Industries Forum and • the goals should aim to ensure that a properly of Waterborne TP. operated and maintained ship remains safe for her whole life Members of EurACS: BV, DNV, GL, LR, and RINA • the goals should be demonstrable, verifiable, long-standing and flexible in order to The question arises why PRS (Poland), HRS (Greece) encourage technology innovations and CRS (Croatia) are excluded from EurACS. • the goals should be achieved either by compliance with rules or by means of Examination alternative solutions providing an equivalent Assessment by a competent person to determine level of safety compliance with requirements. • the rules developed and applied by shipyards and classification societies should include Final Test criteria to demonstrate and measure the The whole of tests performed to accept a materi- achievement of goal-based standards. al, product, equipment or plant. GBS Goal-based Standards FOC Flag of Convenience Goal-based standards in shipping were proposed The registration of a ship in a State whose tax to IMO a number of years ago by the Bahamas and on the profits of trading ships is low or whose Greece supported by other administrations as the requirements concerning manning or maintenance basis for developing ship construction standards are not stringent. Sometimes referred to as flag of that would permit innovation in design but ensure necessity; denotes registration of vessels in foreign that ships were built in such a manner that, if nations that offer favourable tax structures and properly maintained, they could remain safe for their regulations; also the flag under the law of one economic life. Goal-based regulations do not set out nation; it is not always required to establish the the means of achieving compliance, but set standards home location in that country. which allow alternative ways of reaching the goal. IMO will take over the detailed work but they will Remark: state what has to be achieved. Class societies, ship Some FOCs are tiny countries with a few thousands designers, naval architects, marine engineers and inhabitants like St. Vincent & Grenadines, Cayman builders will retain the freedom to decide on how Islands, Nauru, Marshall Islands, others are landlocked best to achieve those goals. like Luxembourg. They are nearly always delegating their IACS has decided to move from unified requirements obligations to ROs: classes, agencies ... to common classification rules for new buildings,

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focused as first priority on the hull scantlings of PRS was re-admitted subsequently as an associated new double hull tankers and bulk carriers. member. RINA should have experienced at least the same fate because of the Erika disaster, but All goal-based standards are currently being discussed managed to remain a member of the association. for hull structures, but they should be applicable IACS was given consultative status with IMO, in for any part of a ship or system on board. 1969, with the first Permanent Representative appointed in 1976. Goal-based standards can be defined as a multi-tier It remains the only non-governmental organisation approach, where the first tier represents general with observer status which is able to develop and safety objectives, the second tier functional apply rules. The status of the standards developed requirements applicable for each ship type and the by member societies was enshrined in the third tier relevant goal based verification criteria. International Convention for the safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). A permanent Secretariat was formally To put it in a more prosaic wording: established in London in 1992. Goal-based standards will be aiming at moving IACS Charter • from mistrust to trust • to work towards the improvement of standards • from a culture of compliance to a culture of of safety at sea and the prevention of pollution benchmarking of the marine environment • from prescriptive to functional /risk/ • to provide for communications and goal-based standards co-operation with relevant international and • from a complex to a more rational set of rules national organisations and regulations • to co-operate closely with the marine industries • from given solutions to goals that can be of the world achieved by alternative designs, promoting innovation of technology IACS Code of Ethics Ugo Salerno, RINA It states, inter alia: “Classification Societies live on their reputation. IACS Acceptance of their work can only be maintained by IACS can trace its origins back to the Load Line continuously proving integrity and competence” and Convention of 1930 and its recommendations. “Competition between Societies shall be on the basis of The convention recommended collaboration services (technical and field) rendered to the marine between classification societies to secure “as industry but must not lead to compromises on safety of much uniformity as possible in the application life and property at sea or to the lowering of technical of the standards of strength upon which standards” freeboard is based”. IACS Members have been found to meet IACS in its today structure was formed by seven Resolutions A.739(18) and A.789(19) by all of the leading societies on 11 September 1968. Current Administrations (approximately 100) that are members are ABS, BV, CCS, DNV, GL, KR, LR, NK, Parties of SOLAS. RINA, and RS with three associated members – Croatian Register of Shipping, Indian Register of IACS Initiatives Shipping and Polish Register of Shipping. IACS • TOCA Transfer of Class Agreement had expelled the Polish Register of Shipping in a • ESP reinforcing the Enhanced Survey Program council decision that followed the loss of the bulk • Introduction of unified scantling standards, for carrier Leader L in March 2000, citing “serious both bulk and oil tankers managerial shortcomings” on the part of the PRS. • TOMS Transfer of Management Systems This followed the temporary suspension of the procedures PRS in 1997.

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IACS Membership ILLC International Load Line Certificates Member status requires compliance with the follo- A certificate which gives details of a ship’s wing minimum conditions: freeboard and states that the ship has been surveyed and appropriate load lines have been • 30 years as a classification society with own marked on her sides. These certificates are issued rules primarily by classification societies and/or coast • classed fleet of not less than 1500 ocean-going guards. vessels (over 100gt) with an aggregate total of not less than 8 million gt. IMO • professional staff of 150 exclusive surveyors The International Maritime Organisation promotes and 100 technical specialists all of whom cooperation among governments and the shipping should be qualified and trained in accordance industry to improve maritime safety and to prevent with IACS procedures marine pollution. • possession of a valid IACS Quality System The purposes of IMO, as summarised by Article Certificate of Conformity 1(a) of the Convention, are “to provide machinery • Observance of the Code of Ethics for cooperation among Governments in the field of governmental regulation and practices relating IACS Policy to technical matters of all kinds affecting shipping engaged in international trade; to encourage and • to provide leading technical expertise facilitate the general adoption of the highest • to communicate with the industry to practicable standards in matters concerning • to share the lessons learnt maritime safety, efficiency of navigation and • to be responsible for what IACS share of prevention and control of marine pollution from responsibility is ships”. The organization is also empowered to deal with administrative and legal matters related IACS Working Parties, permanent to these purposes.

• Fire protection and safety IMO was established by means of a convention • Subdivision, stability and load lines adopted under the auspices of the United Nations • Strength in Geneva on 17 March 1948. It has more than • Materials and welding 160 members and the European Commission has • Survey, reporting and certification an observer status at the IMO. It proposed the • Machinery adhesion of the EU to the International Maritime • Electricity Organisation , in April 2002, to reinforce the European contribution to the development of ILO International Labour Organisation international policy on maritime safety. Based in Geneva, ILO is one of the oldest organisations of the UN system of specialised Inspection Agencies and has been involved over the years Examination of a design, product, service or in appraising and seeking to improve and process by an inspector in order to ascertain their regulate conditions of seafarers. compliance with specified codes, standards or specifications. Major issues dealt with by ILO: • employment of foreign seafarers Inspector • application of minimum labour standards A person competent to perform inspections. • crew accommodation • medical examination and medical care Intermediate Surveys • food and catering see Periodic Surveys and ESP • officer’s competencies

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ISM Code shipping in territorial waters, and ports. The International Safety Management Code was Closely linked to the Government sometimes adopted in 1993. It became mandatory for operating the coast guard. passenger vessels, oil tankers, chemical tankers, bulk carriers, and high speed cargo ships of 500 Maritime Authority gt or more. see Maritime Administration

Remark: MARPOL Unfortunately the aim of the regulation had mainly been The International Convention for the Prevention diverted from its initial purpose to become a clerical of Pollution of Ships, 1973, as modified by the business opportunity of its own. Protocol of 1978.

ISP Code Usually known as MARPOL 73/78, this is a set of The International Ship and Port Facility Code regulations aimed at preventing pollution by oil, adopted by an IMO Conference in December chemicals, noxious substances, garbage and 2002. Intended to strengthen maritime security sewage water. (Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS). Materials Load Lines Raw materials that will require further forming or Commercial ships have a symbol called load line manufacturing before becoming a product. painted on each side of the ship. This symbol, also called Plimsoll line, marks the level to which the Material Test Certificates ship can be safely loaded. see Mill Test Certificates

International Convention on Load Lines, 66/68 MED Marine Equipment Directive; Wheelmark Directive Maintenance Council Directive 96/98/EC as amended It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure proper With the view to harmonise standards for the maintenance of the ship until the next survey design, construction and acceptance procedure required by the rules. for the items of equipment referred to in SOLAS and MARPOL, the European union has developed Marine Insurance with the help of the industry, classification Covering loss and damage at sea. Marine insurance ocieties – Bureau Veritas in the forefront – and typically delegates the owner of merchandise for the Member States, the Marine Equipment losses sustained from fire, shipwreck, etc. but Directive MED. excludes losses that can be recovered from the carrier. The MED covers statutory equipment carried and used on ships registered under the flags of the Marine Product European Union Member states plus Norway and A product that has been designed, constructed Iceland, which are required to meet the 4 and tested for use in a marine application. International Conventions developed by the International Maritime Organisation IMO namely: Manufacturer The company that produces and/or assembles the • Load Lines 1966 final product, and takes the whole responsibility • SOLAS 1974 Life-savings Appliances of the final product. • MARPOL 1973 Marine Pollution • COLREGS 1972 Prevention of Collisions Maritime Administration An autonomous authority for the supervision of Under the procedures defined in the Med, once the prime maritime services like safety and an approval has been obtained for the equipment www.amem.at 023 – Glossary of “Class“ related terms, abbreviations and acronyms Page 8

referred to in the Directive by a single “Notified Surveyors of different classification societies request Body”, this approval will be acceptable in all other different EN 10204 certificates from the manufacturers. Member States. This is unfair and gives some companies a significant cost advantage while discriminating others. Recognition that the equipment fully complies with the requirements of the MED will be MSC Maritime Safety Committee denoted by a “Ships Steering Wheel”. A major committee within IMO.

MED Type Approval Mutual Recognition All certificates issued by a Society/ Notified Body Result of an agreement between two or more for products in compliance with the European bodies who consider that an approval or a Directives 96/98/EC and subsequent amendments certification granted by one of them, under are considered equivalent to type approvals and specific conditions, is applicable for the other(s). production certificates. National Flag Member State(s) The flag carried by a ship to show her nationality. While the European Union has its long awaited mandate to negotiate on behalf of its Member Notified Body States on air transport matters, the maritime An Organisation authorised by the competent authority in Europe still lies with the Member National Administration of an European Community States and their national maritime administrations. Member State to perform certification activities on their behalf. MEPC Marine Environment Protection Committee, a Open Register major committee within IMO. A term used in place of “Flag of Convenience” or “Flag of Necessity”. Remark: A register that is open to foreign shipowners. The number of the meeting is often added to the acronym. Performance Test Mill (Material) Test Certificates EN 10204 A technical operation where a specific performance formerly DIN 50049 characteristic is determined and recorded. Documents issued by the manufacturing plant P&I Protection & Indemnity ® Certificate of Compliance A P&I Club is a unique organisation in that it EN 10204 2.1/DIN 50049 2.1 operates as a mixture of an insurance company, a law firm and a loss adjuster. This means that a ® Test Report P&I Club is able to assist a ship owner in dealing EN 10204 2.1/DIN 50049 2.2 with every aspect of a casualty from finding ® Specific Test Report experts and contractors to deal with the DIN 50049 2.3 immediate casualty through to legal advice and paying claims. Documents issued by experts of Recognised The P&I Club exists in order to help the ship Organisations owner and pay his liability claims. ® Inspection Certificate EN 10204 3.2/DIN 50049 3.1 A Periodic Surveys Each classed vessel is subject to a specified ® Inspection Certificate program of periodic surveys, an intermediate EN 10204 3.1/DIN 50049 3.1 B survey and a class renewal/special survey ® Inspection Certificate (held every 5 years). The rigor of each specified EN 10204 3.2/DIN 50049 3.1 C survey increases with the age of the vessel. www.amem.at 023 – Glossary of “Class“ related terms, abbreviations and acronyms Page 9

PSC Port State Control The RO is responsible and accountable to the Flag The Inspection of foreign ships in national ports administration for the work that it carries out on for the purpose of verifying that the condition of its behalf. The principles of the inspection and a ship and its equipment comply with the survey work are the same as in respect of requirements of international conventions and classification surveys, that is the verification by that the vessel is manned and operated in the RO that the ship is in compliance with compliance with applicable international law. applicable requirements at the time of the survey. The scope of these inspections and surveys On the basis of an EC Directive, all EU Coastal regarding safety and pollution are laid down by States are obliged to inspect at least 25% of all the Flag administration in compliance with the foreign sips calling to their ports. If a substantial relevant international conventions to which it number of deficiencies is found, the ship will be is a signatory.The RO is responsible and detained until the necessary repairs have been accountable to the Flag Administration for the carried out. work that it carries out on its behalf.

Recognised Classification Societies Recommendation The European Union recognises 13 European and Recommendation and Condition of Class are non European Classification Societies: synonymous terms used by IACS societies for requirements that specific measures, repairs, • American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) request for survey, etc. are to be carried out by • Bureau Veritas (BV) the owner within a specified time period in • China Classification Society (CCS) order to retain class. • Det Norske Veritas (DNV) • Germanischer Lloyd (GL) Renewal of Type Approvals • Hellenic Register of Shipping (HRS) Type approvals have to be renewed every 5 years. • Korean Register of Shipping (KR) Regardless whether there were any modifications • Lloyd’s Register (LR) or not to that submitted for the previous • Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NK) approval, the certificates have to be renewed • Polish Register of Shipping every 5 years. This creates a reasonable repeat • Registro Italiano Navale (RINA) business for the classification society and is a cost • Registro Internacional Naval (Rinave) factor the manufacturer. • Russian Maritime Register (RS)

Recognised Organisation RO Register SOLAS and the other International Conventions permit the Flag State Administration to delegate Regulation the inspection and survey of ships to a Recognised The term “Regulation” is commonly linked to Organisation. statutory equipment standards IMO Resolution A 739(18) lays down minimum standards for ROs. Fundamentally it requires the Rule organisation to demonstrate its technical competence The term “Rule” is commonly linked to standards and to be governed by the principals of ethical behaviour. of the classification societies. The RO should be subject to the certification of its quality system by an independent body of Scantlings auditors accepted by the Administration. Dimensions of Ship’s structural members/ Together with IMO Resolution A.789(19), which components e.g. frame, beam girder etc. presents specifications on the survey and certification functions of ROs, these resolutions Self Inspection provide the criteria and framework to which a Inspection delegated to the manufacturer, flag must be satisfied that their RO’s meet. provided some conditions are fulfilled: in

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particular, works and quality system are approved, bodies or trade associations. The list below shows and respective responsibilities are identified. the most common national and international standards which classification societies assess Self Regulation against: Classification societies are somehow unique as • AS 9100 they are self issuing and self executing regulations • HACCP and guidelines. • ISO/IEC 27001 • ISO/IEC 20000-1 Services • ISO 13485 Major services by classification societies are: • ISO 14001 • ISO 9001 • Approvals • ISO/TS 16949 • Certification • ISO/TS 29001 • Classification • ISO 22000 • Inspection • QS-9000 • Construction Survey • OHSAS 18001 • Consultancy • IRIS • Design Appraisal • Testing and Witnessing Statutory Work • Marpol 73/78 Classification societies act as providers of services. • SOLAS This can not be construed as an obligation bearing • ISM on the society to obtain a result or as a warranty. • Load Lines; ICLL 66/68 Any delay or shortcomings in the performance of • TC 69 the society’s services arising from an event not • AFS-C reasonably foreseeable by or beyond the control • ISSC ISPS code of the society is deemed not to be a breach of contract. STWC International Convention of Training, Certificates and Watchkeeping of Seafarers. SMC Safety Management Certificate Surveillance (ISM Code) Certificates stating that the ship has a The process of monitoring a product, procedure Safety Management System. or service to ensure it continues to conform with the approved criteria. SMS Safety Management System Survey SOLAS An activity carried out by a surveyor with free The International Convention for the Safety of and random access to building facility at defined Life at Sea (SOLAS) is the most important treaty or occasional intervals, consisting of one or more protecting the safety of merchant ships. inspections and/or surveillance to verify the compliance of a product, design, service, process Specification or plant (including ships, or offshore installations Technical data/particulars which determine the or parts thereof) with specific requirements. design and/or manufacturing and testing procedures and define the quality requirements Surveyor A competent person – appointed by the Society – Standards to perform surveys. A standard is a guideline document that reflects agreements on products, practices and operations Suspension of Class by recognised government, industry or professional A ship loses her class temporarily

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Test There is a wide range of products for use in A technical operation that consists of the marine and offshore applications and growing determination of one or more characteristics or international awareness of the importance of performance of a given product, material, third-party certification. equipment, organism, physical phenomenon, process or service according to a specific Unified Requirements (IACS) procedure. UR Unified Requirements are adopted on matters directly connected to or covered by specific TOC Transfer of Class Rule requirements and practices of classification It is possible to transfer a ship from one classifica- societies and the general philosophy on which tion to another during the lifetime of a ship. the rules and practices of classification societies Depending on the current class status of the ves- are established. sel, various procedures exist to achieve a smooth Subject to ratification by the governing body of transition to the new class. each Member Society and Associate. Unified requirements shall be incorporated in the rules TOCA Transfer of Class Agreement and practices of the Member Societies and the The IACS Transfer of Class Agreement’s objective associates, within one year of approval by the is to allow for traceability of ship’s class and to IACS Council. prevent owners “class hopping”. It was reinforced The existence of a UR does not oblige a Member by requiring the “gaining society” in a class Society or an Associate to issue respective Rules if transfer to perform a special survey or it chooses not to have Rules for the type of ship intermediate survey (whichever is due next) for or marine structure concerned. ESP ships of 15 years and over. TOCA requires the transfer of the ship’s Unified Requirements are minimum requirements. classification survey history to the gaining society. Each Member and Associate remains free to set more stringent requirements. TOMS Transfer of Management Systems US Coast Guard Type Approval Recognised Organisations and Classification The process at the end of which a Type Approval Societies certificate is issued. The US Coast Guard’s requirements for the It applies both to products for which the type recognition of an organisation or a classification approval is required by rules, or to products, for society are more stringent than those of other which the type approval is required by rules, or administrations. to products, for which there are no specific requirements on classification rules, but the type Among others the USCG criteria request the approval certificate is requested by the following: manufacturer on a voluntary basis. • not to be under the financial control of ship There are five stages to gain a type approval: owners or shipbuilders, or of others engaged • review of the design data submitted by the commercially in the manufacture, equipping, producer to establish that the design complies repair or operation of ships with specific codes or specifications • not be financially dependent on a single • witness tests on a representative sample commercial enterprise for its revenue • production controls • not have any business interest, or share of • issue of a type approval, valid for five years ownership of, any vessel in its classed fleet • entry into the list of type approved products • not be involved in any activities which could result in a conflict of interest

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Underwriter A person or institution that insures a ship or its cargo against damage or loss. An underwriter assesses the level of risk and calculates the premium to be paid.

Validation The last step in the design process to verify the effectiveness of the design to fulfil the established purpose. Usually, this is made by re-check of drawings and calculations and/or by prototype extensive testing (even destructive tests, if necessary) carried out by a person not having been involved in the design performance or in the normal routine inspection.

Withdrawal of Class A ship loses her class permanently

Witness To be present at the test and to be able to give evidence about its out come.

Impressum:

Grafic-Design, Production: Peter Furian, Georg Michael Thellmann www.furian.at