1.1.1 The Submarine Assurance Framework is not a substitute for the Submarine
Safety Management System or the Submarine Safety Assurance System, but can make a
significant contribution to a safety argument which demonstrates that the submarine
is ‘safe to operate’ in the defined operating context. Responsibility for the safety
argument throughout the submarine lifecycle lies with the submarine Owner.
1.1.2 The submarine Owner, designer, builder, maintenance organisation and Navy are to give
LR Surveyors every facility and necessary access to carry out their verification
activities. They should familiarise themselves with the Submarine Assurance Plan
and, where appropriate, arrange for all sub-contractors and product suppliers to do
the same.
1.1.3 While recognising that information related to naval submarines will by its nature be
sensitive, LR will require access to information necessary to allow the verification
activities defined within the Submarine Assurance Plan to be carried out. LR
respects intellectual property and national requirements for the protection of
information.
1.1.4 Where full responsibility for assurance has not been delegated to LR, and the Naval
Administration or another Recognised Organisation undertakes verification activities
such as assessments, audits, inspections, surveys or issues certification relevant
to the scope of the activities to be carried out by LR as defined within the
Submarine Assurance Plan, LR is to be provided with the necessary details to allow
verification activities defined within the Submarine Assurance Plan to be carried
out.
1.1.5 Where particular verification activities are carried out in isolation in order to
provide specific and targeted verification of certain systems, equipment and
components it is the responsibility of the Owner or Navy to ensure that such
verification is consistent with, and carried out within, the context of the
Submarine Safety Management System in order to avoid any gaps between different
verification activities undertaken by different entities.