4.2.2.1 A vessel may be constructed of wood, fibre
reinforced plastic (FRP), aluminium alloy, steel or combinations of
such materials. Requirements for materials used for the construction
of inflatable and rigid inflatable boats are given in Section 4.5.2.
4.2.2.2 Proposals to use any other material should
be submitted to the Certifying Authority for consideration and approval.
When a Certifying Authority considers it does not have the necessary
expertise to deal with vessels of the hull material proposed, the
Administration should be consulted with regard to the procedures to
be adopted.
4.2.2.3 The hull of a vessel which has been surveyed
and certificated by an UK Load Line Assigning Authority should be
acceptable, subject to presentation of a Certificate of Construction.
4.2.2.4 UK Load Line Assigning Authorities, in
addition to the MCA, are American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas,
Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd, Clasifications Register of Shipping
and Registro Italiano Navale.
4.2.2.5 A vessel which has not been built under
the survey of an UK Load Line Assigning Authority will be considered
to be of adequate strength after a satisfactory examination by an
authorised person and if it has been built:-
-
.1 in accordance with the hull certification standards
for small vessels, recognised by one of the Authorities; or
-
.2 in general accord with the standard of a vessel
which has a record of at least five years' history of safe operation
in an area where the sea and weather conditions are no less severe
than those likely to be encountered in the intended area of operation.
4.2.2.6 A vessel not built in accordance with
either Section 4.2.2.3 or 4.2.2.5 may be specially considered, provided
that full information (including calculations, drawings, details of
materials and construction) is presented to and approved by the Certifying
Authority.
4.2.2.7 A vessel with an existing certificate
at the date of coming into force of the Code, or in possession of
a valid Load Line Certificate or Load Line Exemption Certificate appropriate
to the operational category shall continue to be considered of adequate
strength for its existing category.