Section 3 Surveys – General

3.1.1 The Classification Committee will act, when authorised on behalf of Governments, in respect of National and International statutory safety and other requirements for passenger, cargo and other ship types.

3.2.1 When it is intended to build a ship for classification with LR, constructional plans and all necessary particulars relevant to the hull, equipment and machinery as detailed in the Rules, are to be submitted for approval before the work is commenced. Any subsequent modifications or additions to the scantlings, arrangements or equipment shown on the approved plans are also to be submitted for approval.

3.2.2 Where the proposed construction of any part of the hull or machinery is of novel design, or involves the use of unusual material, or where experience, in the opinion of the Classification Committee, has not sufficiently justified the principle or mode of application involved, special tests or examinations before and during service may be required. In such cases a suitable notation may be assigned.

3.2.3 The materials used in the construction of hulls and machinery intended for classification are to be of good quality and free from defects and are to be tested in accordance with the requirements of LR’s Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials, July 2022, (hereinafter referred to as the Rules for Materials). The steel is to be manufactured by an approved process at an approved works. Alternatively, tests will be required to demonstrate the suitability of the steel.

3.2.4 New ships intended for classification are to be built under LR’s Special Survey. From the commencement of the work until the completion of the ship, the Surveyors are to be satisfied that the materials, workmanship and arrangements are satisfactory and in accordance with the Rules. Any items found not to be in accordance with the Rules or the approved plans, or any material, workmanship or arrangements found to be unsatisfactory, are to be rectified.

3.2.5 Copies of approved plans (showing the ship as built), essential certificates and records, required loading and other instruction manuals are to be readily available for use when required by the attending Surveyors, and may be required to be kept on board.

3.2.6 When the machinery is constructed under LR’s Special Survey, this survey is to relate to the period from the commencement of the work until the final test under working conditions. Any items found not to be in accordance with the Rules or the approved plans, or any material, workmanship or arrangements found to be unsatisfactory, are to be rectified.

3.2.7 When arrangements are such that essential machinery can be operated by remote and/or automatic control equipment, the control equipment is to be arranged, installed and tested in accordance with LR’s Rules and Regulations.

3.2.8 The date of completion of the Special Survey during construction of ships built under LR’s survey will normally be taken as the date of build to be entered in the Ship Records. If the period between launching and commissioning is, for any reason, unduly prolonged, the dates of launching and completion or commissioning may be separately indicated in the Ship Records.

3.2.9 When a ship, upon completion, is not immediately commissioned but is laid up for a period, the Classification Committee, upon application by the Owner, prior to the ship proceeding to sea, will direct an examination to be made by the Surveyors which may include a survey in dry dock. If, as the result of such a survey, the hull and machinery are reported in all respects to be in accordance with applicable Rule requirements, the subsequent Special Survey and Complete Survey of the machinery will date from the time of such examination.

3.3.1  Classification of ships not built under survey. The requirements of the Classification Committee for the classification of ships which have not been built under LR’s Survey are indicated in Pt 1, Ch 3 Periodical Survey Regulations. Special consideration will be given to ships transferring class to LR from another recognised Classification Society.

3.3.2  Reclassification. When reclassification or class reinstatement is desired for a ship for which the class previously assigned by LR has been withdrawn or suspended, the Classification Committee will direct that a survey appropriate to the age of the ship and to the circumstances of the case, be carried out by the Surveyors. If, at such survey, the ship is found to be or is placed in a condition in accordance with the requirements of the Rules and Regulations, the Classification Committee will be prepared to consider reinstatement of the original class or the assignment of such other class as may be deemed necessary.

3.3.3 The Classification Committee reserves the right to decline an application for classification or reclassification where the prior history or condition of the ship indicates this to be appropriate.

3.3.4  Unscheduled surveys. Where the Classification Committee has concern about the condition of a ship and/or the equipment an unscheduled survey may be required at any time to determine the actual condition.

3.4.1 All repairs to hull, equipment and machinery which may be required in order that a ship may retain her class, see Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General 1.1.5, are to be carried out to the satisfaction of the Surveyors. When repairs are effected at a port, terminal or location where the services of a Surveyor to LR are not available, the repairs are to be surveyed by one of the Surveyors at the earliest opportunity thereafter.

3.4.2 When at any survey the Surveyors consider repairs to be necessary, either as a result of damage, or wear and tear, they are to communicate their recommendations at once to the Owner, or his representative. When such recommendations are not complied with, immediate notification is to be given to the Classification Committee by the Surveyors.

3.4.3 When, at any survey, it is found that any damage, defect or breakdown (see Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General 1.1.5) is of a nature that does not require immediate permanent repair, but is sufficiently serious to require rectification by a prescribed date in order to maintain class, a suitable condition of class is to be imposed by the Surveyors and recommended to the Classification Committee for consideration.

3.4.4 If a ship which is classed with LR is to leave harbour limits or protected waters under tow, the Owner is to advise LR of the circumstances prior to her departure.

3.4.5 If a ship which is classed with LR is taken in tow whilst at sea, the Owner is to advise LR of the circumstances at the first practicable opportunity.

3.4.6 Plans and particulars of any proposed alterations to the approved scantlings and arrangements of hull, equipment, or machinery are to be submitted for approval, and such alterations are to be carried out to the satisfaction of the Surveyors.

3.5.1 All classed ships having a service extension notation and regularly operating in sea areas for which a National or International Load Line Certificate is issued, are to be subjected to Annual Surveys. These surveys become due at yearly intervals, the first survey one year from the date of build or from the date of the Special Survey for classification, and should be held concurrently with the periodical load line inspection. The survey may be commenced within the period of three months before the due date and is to be completed not later than three months after the due date. The date of the last Intermediate Survey will be recorded on the LR Class Direct website.

3.5.2 All classed passenger ships are to be subjected to Annual Surveys. These surveys become due at yearly intervals, the first survey one year from the date of build or from the date of the Special Survey for classification. The survey may be commenced within the period of three months before the due date and is to be completed not later than three months after the due date. The date of the last Special Survey will be recorded on the LR Class Direct website.

3.5.3 All classed ships, other than as mentioned in Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys 3.5.1 and Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys 3.5.2, are to be subjected to Intermediate Surveys. These surveys become due 30 months after the date of build or of the previous Special Survey and are to be completed within 6 months before and after the Intermediate Survey due date. The date of the last Intermediate Survey will be recorded on the LR Class Direct website.

3.5.4 All classed ships are to be subjected to Special Surveys. These surveys become due at five-yearly intervals, the first one five years from the date of build or date of Special Survey for classification, and thereafter five years from the date of the previous Special Survey. The date of the last Special Survey will be recorded on the LR Class Direct website.

3.5.5 Attention is to be given to any relevant Statutory Requirements of the National Authority of the country in which the ship is registered and/or of International Conventions if the ship is also intended to make international voyages.

3.5.6 It is the responsibility of Owners to ensure that all surveys for the maintenance of class are carried out at the proper time and in accordance with the Regulations.

3.5.7 For ships mentioned in Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys 3.5.1, the ship is to be dry-docked or placed on a slipway, between the second and third year after the date of build or the last Special Survey, for examination in accordance with Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.2 New construction surveys 3.2.3 to be carried out concurrently with the periodical load line inspection, where practicable.

3.5.8 The Owners should also notify LR whenever a ship can be examined in dry dock or on a slipway on account of damage or defects sustained between Periodical Surveys.

3.5.9 When it is inconvenient for an Owner to fulfil all the requirements of a Special Survey at its due date, the Committee will be prepared to consider its extension, either wholly or in part, provided that LR’s Surveyors are afforded an opportunity, prior to the due date, of assessing the general condition of the hull. For this purpose, the Classification Committee will normally call for a General Examination of the ship of sufficient extent and which may include dry-docking (depending on age and records of the ship) to be assured that its condition is satisfactory for the period of grace desired, which is not to exceed 12 months from the due date. Attention is drawn to relevant regulations of the National Authorities of the country where the ship is registered. On completion of the Hull Special Survey, the assigned date will be the last date the ship was under survey. The date assigned is not to exceed six years from the previous due date.

3.5.10 Machinery is to be submitted to the surveys detailed in Pt 1, Ch 3, 10 Machinery surveys – General requirements.

3.5.11 Complete Surveys of machinery become due at five-yearly intervals, the first one five years from the date of build or date of first classification as recorded in Class Direct, and thereafter five years from the date of the previous Complete Survey.

3.5.12 If it is found desirable that any part of the machinery should be examined again before the due date of the next survey, a certificate for a limited period will be granted in accordance with the nature of the case.

3.5.13 Boiler Surveys are to be carried out as stated in Pt 1, Ch 3, 13 Boilers. The date of the last Boiler Survey will be recorded on the LR Class Direct website.

3.5.14 Steam pipes Surveys are to be carried out as stated in Pt 1, Ch 3, 14 Steam pipes. The date of the last Steam pipes Survey will be recorded on the LR Class Direct website.

3.5.15 Screwshaft Surveys are to be carried out as stated in Pt 1, Ch 3, 15 Screwshafts, tube shafts and propellers. The date(s) of the last Screwshaft Survey(s) will be recorded on the LR Class Direct website.

3.5.16 Where an inert gas system is fitted on board a ship, the system is to be surveyed at 2½-yearly intervals or at the Intermediate Survey and at the Special Survey. Survey requirements are given in Pt 1, Ch 3, 16 Inert gas systems.

3.5.17 When it is inconvenient for an Owner to fulfil all the requirements of a Complete Machinery Survey at its due date, the Committee will be prepared to consider an extension, either wholly or in part, provided that LR’s Surveyors are afforded an opportunity, about the due date, of assessing the general condition of the machinery. For this purpose, the Classification Committee will normally call for a General Examination to be made, of sufficient extent to assure them that the condition of the machinery is satisfactory for the period of grace desired, which is not to exceed 12 months from the due date. Attention is drawn to relevant Regulations of the National Authorities of the country where the ship is registered. On completion of the Machinery Survey, the assigned date will be the last date the ship was under survey. The date assigned is not to exceed six years from the previous due date.

3.5.18 Where the ship is fitted with classed dynamic positioning equipment, the system is to be examined at each Intermediate Survey and at the due time of the Complete Survey of machinery in accordance with the requirements of Pt 1, Ch 3, 10.2 Intermediate Surveys 10.2.4 and Pt 1, Ch 3, 10.3 Complete Survey of machinery 10.3.13.

3.5.19 Where the Committee has agreed to an Owner’s request to assign the notation ‘laid up’, the ship may be retained in class provided a satisfactory general examination of the hull and machinery is carried out at the Annual Survey /Intermediate Survey due date and in addition an Underwater Examination (UWE) is carried out at the Special Survey due date. The general examination may be carried out within three months before or after the Annual Survey/Intermediate Survey due date.

3.6.1 When the required reports, on completion of the Special Survey of new or existing ships which have been submitted for classification, have been received from the Surveyors and classification has been agreed by the Classification Executive, a Certificate of Classification may be issued by an authorised Surveyor. After approval by the Classification Committee, a certificate of First Entry of Classification, signed by LR’s Chairman or the Chairman of the Classification Committee, will be issued to the contracting Builders or Owners.

3.6.2 A Certificate of Class valid for five years subject to Annual and/or Intermediate Surveys will also be issued.

3.6.3 The Surveyors are permitted to issue provisional (interim) certificates to enable a ship intended for classification, or already classed, with LR to commence service or to proceed on its voyage (or to continue service in the case of a fixed or tethered ship) provided that in their opinion it is in a fit and efficient condition. Such certificates will embody the Surveyor’s recommendations for classification or for continuance of class, but in all cases are subject to confirmation by the Classification Committee.

3.6.4 The full class notation and abbreviated descriptive notes shall be stated on the Certificate of Class.

3.7.1 It is the responsibility of the Owners to ensure that all surveys necessary for the maintenance of class are carried out at the proper time and in accordance with the instructions of the Classification Committee. Information is available to Owners on the Class Direct website.

3.7.2 LR will make available to an Owner timely notice about forthcoming surveys by means of a Quarterly Listing of Surveys, Conditions of Class and Memoranda. This can be requested from the LR Class Direct website. The omission of such notice, however, does not absolve the Owner from his responsibility to comply with LR’s survey requirements for maintenance of class, all of which are available to Owners on the LR Class Direct website.

3.8.1 When the class of a ship, for which the Regulations as regards surveys on hull, equipment and machinery have been complied with, is withdrawn by the Classification Committee in consequence of a request from the Owner, the notation ‘Class withdrawn at Owner’s request’ (with date) will be assigned.

3.8.2 When the Regulations as regards surveys on the hull, equipment or machinery have not been complied with and the ship is thereby not entitled to retain class, the class will be suspended or withdrawn, at the discretion of the Classification Committee, and a corresponding notation will be assigned.

3.8.3 Class will be automatically suspended and the Certificate of Class will become invalid if the Annual or Intermediate Survey has not been completed within the prescribed range of dates for the survey.

3.8.4 Class will be automatically suspended from the expiry date of the Certificate of Class in the event that the Special Survey has not been completed by the due date and an extension has not been agreed (see Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys 3.5.9), or is not under attendance by the Surveyors with a view to completion prior to resuming trading.

3.8.5 When, in accordance with Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.4 Repairs and alterations 3.4.3 of the Regulations, a condition of class is imposed, this will be assigned a due date for completion and the ship’s class will be subject to a suspension procedure if the condition of class is not dealt with, or postponed by agreement, by the due date.

3.8.6 When it is found, from the reported condition of the hull or equipment or machinery of a ship, that an Owner has failed to comply with Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General 1.1.5, Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.4 Repairs and alterations 3.4.1 or Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.4 Repairs and alterations 3.4.5, the class will be liable to be suspended or withdrawn, at the discretion of the Classification Committee, and a corresponding notation assigned. When it is considered that an Owner’s failure to comply with these requirements is sufficiently serious, the suspension or withdrawal of class may be extended to include other ships controlled by the same Owner, at the discretion of the Classification Committee.

3.8.7 When it is found that a ship is being operated in a manner contrary to that agreed at the time of classification, or is being operated in environmental conditions which are more onerous or in areas other than those agreed by the Committee, the class will be liable to be automatically withdrawn or suspended.

3.8.8 Where a ship has been detained following an intervention by local authorities on two or more occasions in a two year period, with serious deficiencies found, then the class will be liable to be suspended or withdrawn, at the discretion of the Classification Committee, and a corresponding notation will be assigned. In these cases, a period of notice, not exceeding 3 months, may be given prior to any suspension or withdrawal of class.

3.8.9 In all instances of class withdrawal or suspension, the assigned notation, with date of application, will be published by members of the LR Group. In cases where class has been suspended by the Classification Committee and it becomes apparent that the Owners are no longer interested in retaining LR’s class it will be withdrawn.

3.8.10 For reclassification and reinstatement of class, see Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.3 Existing ships 3.3.2.

3.9.1 If the recommendations of the Surveyors are considered in any case to be unnecessary or unreasonable, appeal may be made to the Classification Committee who may direct a Special Examination to be held.

3.10.1 If due to circumstances reasonably beyond the Owner's or LR's control, as defined below, the ship is not in a port when surveys become overdue the Classification Committee may allow the ship to sail, in class, directly to an agreed discharge port and then, if necessary, in ballast to an agreed repair facility at which the survey can be completed. In this context 'Force Majeure' means damage to the ship, unforeseen inability of Surveyors to attend the ship due to governmental restrictions on right of access or movement of personnel, unforeseen delays in port or inability to discharge cargo due to unusually lengthy periods of severe weather, strikes, civil strife, acts of war or other force majeure.

3.10.2 In circumstances of global disruption to normal maritime operations, such as experienced during the global COVID-19 pandemic, where Flag Administrations adopt extraordinary measures permitting postponements to scheduled statutory surveys beyond the due dates, the Classification Committee may allow corresponding postponements to scheduled class surveys provided the following measures to confirm the continued compliance of the vessel with LR classification requirements are undertaken:

1. a confirmatory LR examination of the ship’s records; and,
2. an LR review of evidence submitted by the Owner that confirms that the vessel is in a condition to satisfactorily continue in class for the agreed period of postponement; this may include an LR remote survey, and provision to LR of acceptable photographic, video or other evidence of condition of structure or equipment; and,
3. receipt of a confirmatory statement from the Master advising that the ship is, in their opinion, in compliance with LR’s Rules and Regulations and in a condition to satisfactorily continue in service for the agreed period; and,
4. any due and/or overdue surveys and examination of Conditions of Class, Actionable Items and Statutory Findings are to be carried out at the first port of call with available facilities where LR Surveyors can reasonably attend to complete the overdue surveys.

3.11.1 The Owner will ensure a member of the LR Group - Marine and Offshore division is promptly informed in writing of any change to their contact details and, in the event of a vessel/asset transfer or sale, is to supply details of the new Owner in writing. The new Owner is to promptly inform a member of the LR Group - Marine and Offshore division in writing of their contact details. If the new Owner fails to do so and if LR cannot verify the ownership record, then the class of that vessel/asset will be specially considered by the Classification Committee.