“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 www.amem.at 023 – Glossary of “Class“ related terms, abbreviations and acronyms Page 2 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

Load more