Section 2 Classification

2.1.1 A nearshore unit may be classed as a ship or an offshore unit.

2.1.3 If a nearshore unit is intended for uninterrupted service on station without dry-docking, special consideration for classification and regulatory framework is to be discussed with LR. In principle, a minimum of two bottom surveys are to be carried out during each five-year special survey period and the maximum interval between successive bottom surveys is not to exceed three years.

2.1.4 For ships assigned the descriptive note EDD (Extended Dry Docking), certain bottom surveys in dry docks are replaced by In-Water Surveys (IWS). For the details about the EDD regime, see Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.8 Descriptive notes 2.8.5 in the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022, and Guidance Notes on Extended Dry Dockings. The relevant Flag Administration may elect to impose additional requirements. For offshore units assigned an OIWS (In-Water Survey) notation, the Classification Committee will accept In-Water Surveys in lieu of bottom surveys in dry dock upon the agreement of the Administration. The In-Water Survey should be carried out in accordance with LR’s Rules. See Pt 1, Ch 3, 4.3 In-Water Surveys in the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 and Pt 1, Ch 3, 4.3 In-Water surveys in the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Offshore Units, July 2022.

2.1.5 Class is generally suspended during a towed voyage from the place of construction to the place of intended operation. The exceptions are vessels/installations not propelled by mechanical means, including barges and pontoons. If the Owner/Operator requires class to be maintained during the towed voyage, it is to be done in consultation with the Classification Group.

2.2.1 The majority of nearshore units require a single delivery transit; hence, the character assigned will be ✠100AT or ✠OI 100AT. If a ship is intended to make unrestricted and numerous transit voyages to operate at a number of operational sites, the character figure 1 is to be assigned instead of T, i.e. ✠100A1.

2.2.2 For a ship assigned ✠100AT but intended for a transit voyage(s) and emergency disconnections, limitation of transit navigation should be assessed for structural design and specified as a descriptive note. See the examples in Ch 1, 2.4 Examples of minimum assessment requirements. If it is expected that the emergency disconnections and transit will be undertaken in harsher environmental conditions or in more unfavourable loading conditions than the delivery transit voyage conditions, they are to be included in the descriptive note as well as in the assessment of transit navigation.

2.2.3 The examples in Ch 1, 2.4 Examples of minimum assessment requirements include some of the class notations related to hull structure only for clarification purposes. The detailed classification notations eligible can be found in the corresponding LR Rules, such as Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 or Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Offshore Units, July 2022.

2.2.4 The class notation ShipRight FDA plus (years, Moored) will be assigned when an appraisal has been made for site-specific operations. Alternatively, the appraisal may be carried out based upon Worldwide or North Atlantic trading routes, denoted by WW and NA respectively, when it is preferred, e.g. FDA plus (40, WW).

2.3.1 For the class notation of an offshore unit, mooring analysis is to be carried out when the character letter T is requested to be assigned in accordance with Pt 3, Ch 10 Positional Mooring Systems in the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Offshore Units, July 2022. A nearshore unit moored with a turret system, spread mooring system or soft yoke system is to be classed as an offshore unit in principle unless the mooring system allows disconnection without external support for emergency escape.

2.3.2 For the class notation of a ship, mooring analysis for station-keeping capability is on a voluntary basis. A descriptive note may be assigned to indicate the type of mooring system, such as ‘spread mooring’, if the mooring system complies with the requirements in Pt 3, Ch 10 Positional Mooring Systems in the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Offshore Units, July 2022.

2.3.3 A ship or an offshore unit provided with a positional mooring system which complies with the requirements of Pt 3, Ch 10, 16 Long-term nearshore positional mooring system in the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Offshore Units, July 2022 will be eligible for the assignment of special features class notation, LTMOOR (Long-term Terminal Mooring). This notation applies to a nearshore ‘dry mooring system’ to a jetty or similar. This notation is mandatory for an offshore unit with such a mooring system. The assessments for station-keeping capability are to be carried out in accordance with ShipRight Procedure for Long-term Nearshore Positional Mooring Systems.