Section 1 General

1.1.1 The requirements of this Chapter are applicable to the Periodical Surveys set out in Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys. The intervals between such surveys are as follows:

1. Annual Surveys at yearly intervals as required by Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys 3.5.1 or Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys 3.5.2.

2. Intermediate Surveys at intervals of 30 months, see Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys 3.5.3.

3. Special Surveys at five-yearly intervals, see Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys 3.5.4 and Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys 3.5.9.

4. Complete Surveys of machinery at five-yearly intervals, see Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys 3.5.11 and Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Existing ships – Periodical Surveys 3.5.15.

5. Consideration will be given to alternative periods between surveys where these are specified by local Administration or Authority Regulations for inland waterways vessels that trade solely within their jurisdictions.

1.1.2 For the frequency of surveys of boilers see Pt 1, Ch 3, 13 Boilers.

1.1.3 For the frequency of surveys of steam pipes, see Pt 1, Ch 3, 14 Steam pipes.

1.1.4 For the frequency of surveys of screwshafts, tube shafts and propellers, see Pt 1, Ch 3, 15 Screwshafts, tube shafts and propellers.

1.1.5 For the frequency of surveys of inert gas systems, see Pt 1, Ch 3, 16 Inert gas systems.

1.1.6 For ships assigned the notation ‘laid up’, in order to maintain the ship in class a general examination of the hull and machinery is to be carried out in lieu of the Annual Survey/Intermediate Survey and in addition an Underwater Examination (UWE) is to be carried out in lieu of the Special Survey.

1.2.1 At any time when a ship is undergoing alterations or damage repairs, any exposed parts of the structure normally difficult to access are to be specially examined, e.g. if any part of the propulsion or auxiliary machinery, including boilers, insulation or fittings, and tanks not forming part of the ship’s structure, is removed for any reason, the steel structure in way is to be carefully examined by the Surveyor, or when cement in the bottom or covering on decks is removed, the plating in way is to be examined before the cement or covering is relaid.

1.3.1 In the event that LR has cause to believe that its Rules and Regulations are not being complied with, LR reserves the right to perform unscheduled surveys of the hull or machinery.

1.3.2 In the event of significant damage or defect affecting any ship, LR reserves the right to perform unscheduled surveys of the hull or machinery of other similar ships classed by LR and deemed to be vulnerable.

1.4.1 A Tanker is a self-propelled ship or a non-propelled ship (barges) which is constructed generally with integral tanks and is intended primarily to carry liquids in bulk. See Pt 4, Ch 4 General Requirements For Tankers Carrying Dangerous Liquids in Bulk.

1.4.2 A Bulk Carrier is a self-propelled ship or a non-propelled ship (barge) intended for the carriage of dry bulk cargoes. See Pt 4, Ch 1 Dry Cargo Ships.

1.4.3 A Container Ship is a self-propelled ship or a non-propelled ship (barge) intended for the carriage of containers. See Pt 4, Ch 1 Dry Cargo Ships.

1.4.4 A Chemical Tanker is a self-propelled ship or a non-propelled ship (barge) constructed generally with integral tanks and being double hull construction, used primarily for the carriage of chemicals in bulk. See Pt 4, Ch 4 General Requirements For Tankers Carrying Dangerous Liquids in Bulk and Pt 4, Ch 6 Tankers of Types C and N.

1.4.5 A Gas Tanker is a cargo ship designed, constructed and used for the carriage in bulk of liquefied gases or other liquid products of a flammable nature. See Pt 4, Ch 4 General Requirements For Tankers Carrying Dangerous Liquids in Bulk and Pt 4, Ch 5 Tankers of Type G.

1.4.6 A Ballast Tank is a tank which is used solely for the carriage of water ballast.

1.4.7  Spaces are separate compartments such as holds, tanks, cofferdams and void spaces bounding cargo holds, decks and the outer hull.

1.4.8  An Enclosed space is any place of an enclosed nature where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions. Examples include, but are not limited to: boilers, pressure vessels, cargo spaces (cargo holds or cargo tanks), cargo space stairways, ballast tanks, double bottoms, double hull spaces, fuel oil tanks, lube oil tanks, sewage-tanks, pump-rooms, compressor rooms, cofferdams, void spaces, duct keels, inter-barrier spaces, engine crankcases, excavations and pits.

1.4.9 An Overall Survey is a survey intended to report on the overall condition of the hull structure, if required.

1.4.10 A Transverse Section includes all longitudinal members such as plating, longitudinals and girders at the deck, side, bottom, inner bottom, inner side, hopper side, top wing side and longitudinal bulkhead, where fitted. For transversely framed ships, a transverse section includes adjacent frames and their end connections in way of transverse sections.

1.4.11  Suspect Areas are locations which have been identified from calculations to require monitoring or from the service history of the subject ship or from similar ships or sister ships, if applicable, to be sensitive to cracking, buckling or corrosion which would impair the structural integrity of the ship.

1.4.12 A Hard Coating is one that cures dry and hard. This is usually to be an epoxy coating or equivalent. Other systems (e.g. soft coatings) may be considered acceptable as alternatives provided they are applied and properly maintained in compliance with the manufacturer's specification.

1.4.13  Coating Condition is defined as follows:

1.4.14 A Prompt and Thorough Repair is a permanent repair completed at the time of survey to the satisfaction of the Surveyor, thereby removing the need for the imposition of any associated condition of class.

1.4.15 The Cargo Length Area is that part of the ship which contains all cargo holds and adjacent areas including fuel tanks, cofferdams, ballast tanks and void spaces. For oil tankers and chemical tankers, the Cargo Length Area is that part of the ship which contains cargo tanks, slop tanks and cargo/ballast pump-rooms, cofferdams, ballast tanks and void spaces adjacent to cargo tanks and also deck areas throughout the entire length and breadth of the part of the ship over the above mentioned spaces.

1.5.1 Tanks and spaces are to be safe for access, i.e. gas freed, ventilated and illuminated.

1.5.2 In preparation for survey, thickness measurements and to allow for a thorough examination, all spaces are to be cleaned including removal from surfaces of all loose accumulated corrosion scale. Spaces are to be sufficiently clean and free from water, scale, dirt, oil residues, etc. to reveal corrosion, deformation, fractures, damages or other structural deterioration. However, those areas of structure whose renewal has already been decided by the owner need only be cleaned and descaled to the extent necessary to determine the limits of areas to be renewed.

1.5.3 Sufficient illumination is to be provided to reveal corrosion, deformation, fractures, damages or other structural deterioration.

1.5.4 Means are to be provided to enable the Surveyor to examine the structure in a safe and practical way.

1.5.5 For surveys, including close-up survey where applicable, in cargo spaces and ballast tanks, one or more of the following means of access is to be provided:

1. Permanent staging and passages through structures.

2. Temporary staging and passages through structures.

3. Hydraulic arm vehicles such as conventional cherry pickers, lifts and movable platforms.

4. Boats or rafts, provided the structural capacity of the hold is sufficient to withstand static loads at all levels of water.

5. Portable ladders may be used, at the discretion of the Surveyor.

6. Other equivalent means.

1.5.6 Where soft coatings have been applied, safe access is to be provided for the Surveyor to verify the effectiveness of the coating and to carry out an assessment of the conditions of internal structures which may include spot removal of the coating. When safe access cannot be provided, the soft coating is to be removed.

1.5.7 A survey planning meeting is to be held prior to the commencement of the Intermediate Survey and Special Survey.

1.6.1 Any damage in association with wastage over the allowable limit (including buckling, grooving, detachment or fracture), or extensive areas of wastage over the allowable limits, which affects or, in the opinion of the Surveyor, will affect the ship's structural, watertight or weathertight integrity, is to be promptly and thoroughly repaired. Areas to be considered include (where fitted):

• side shell frames, their end attachments and adjacent shell plating;
• deck structure and deck plating;
• bottom structure and bottom plating;
• side structure and side plating;
• inner bottom structure and inner bottom plating;
• inner side structure and inner side plating;
• watertight or oiltight bulkheads;
• hatch covers and hatch coamings.

For locations where adequate repair facilities are not available, consideration may be given to allow the ship to proceed directly to a repair facility. This may require discharging the cargo and/or temporary repairs for the intended voyage.

1.6.2 Additionally, when a survey results in the identification of structural defects or corrosion, either of which, in the opinion of the Surveyor, will impair the ship's fitness for continued service, remedial measures are to be implemented before the ship continues in service.