Section 1 Conditions for classification

1.1.1 Floating docks and dock gates built in accordance with Lloyd’s Register’s (hereinafter referred to as ‘LR’) Rules and Regulations, or with alternative arrangements equivalent thereto (see Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.6 Equivalent arrangements), will be assigned a class and included in the Register Book and will continue to be classed so long as they are found, upon examination at the prescribed Annual and other Periodical Surveys, to be maintained in a fit and efficient condition and in accordance with the requirements of these Rules.

1.1.2 Classification will be conditional upon compliance with LR’s requirements in respect of both hull and machinery (i.e. boilers, pressure vessels, engines, compressors, pumping arrangements, control and electrical equipment) essential to the safety and operation of the floating dock or dock gate.

1.1.3 The Rules are framed on the understanding that floating docks and dock gates will not be operated in environmental conditions more severe than those agreed for the design basis and approval, without the prior agreement of LR.

1.1.4 Furthermore, the Rules are framed on the assumption that the operating site for a floating dock is not subjected to undue swell conditions. If this is not the case, details of the proposed site and prevailing wave, swell, current and wind conditions should be submitted for special consideration at the earliest possible stage.

1.1.5 Floating dock securing arrangements are not considered to be classification items and hence their inspection is not included in LR’s Survey List. However, when requested an appraisal of these arrangements including possible Certification can be undertaken as an additional service. Notwithstanding the above, the local strength of the dock structure in way of mooring attachments is considered a classification item.

1.1.6 The Rules are also framed on the understanding that floating docks and dock gates will be properly loaded and handled; they do not, unless stated in the class notation, provide for special distributions or concentrations of loading. The Committee may also require additional strengthening to be fitted in any floating dock which, in their opinion, may be subjected to severe stresses due to particular features in the design or when it is desired to make provision for exceptional loaded or ballasted conditions. In these cases particulars are to be submitted for consideration.

1.1.7 Alternative arrangements, materials and equipment if proposed will be considered for acceptance on the basis of structural equivalency.

1.1.8 Stability aspects, vibratory performance and motion characteristics of the floating dock at site are not considered to be classification responsibility. These services may, however, be provided on a consultancy basis.

1.1.9 Stability aspects (including static stability), seal performance and fit, machinery, electrical systems, hydraulic systems, fire and safety arrangements, connections to the dock walls/entrance, slots for sliding/rolling dock gates, vibratory performance and motion characteristics of the dock gate at site are not considered to be classification responsibility. These services may, however, be provided on a consultancy basis.

1.2.1 Floating docks built in accordance with LR’s Rules and Regulations will be eligible for assignment of the class notation:

‘A’ Floating dock for service at ........ (port to be specified).

1.2.2 Where the port of construction is remote from the port of operation, the class will not be assigned until the dock has received a General Examination following its arrival and installation at its port of operation.

1.2.3 Dock gates built in accordance with LR’s Rules and Regulations will be eligible for assignment of the class notation:

Dock gate for service at….. (location to be specified)

1.2.4 Where additional assessments, see Pt 2, Ch 2, 5 Additional assessments, have been carried out at the request of the Owner/Operator, dock gates will be assigned the following notation appended by one or more characters in brackets indicating the type of assessment carried out:

EDG()

• F fatigue assessment
• S seismic assessment
• T thermal assessment
• I impact assessment

1.2.5  Special features. When a special feature in the design or construction of a floating dock or dock gate or its machinery has been approved, an appropriate special feature notation may be entered in the Register Book.

1.3.1 In addition to any class notations, an appropriate descriptive note shall be entered in Column 6 of the Register Book indicating the type of ship in greater detail than is contained in the class notation, and/or providing additional information about the ship’s design and construction. This descriptive note is not a LR classification notation and is provided solely for information.

1.3.2 ShipRight(). Where one or more of LR’s ShipRight procedures as detailed in the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022, Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.8 Descriptive notes 2.8.2 have been satisfactorily applied, then a descriptive note showing the associated characters of the procedure(s) within brackets will, at the Owner’s request, be entered in column 6 of the Register Book, preceded by the word ShipRight, e.g. ShipRight(IHM).

1.4.1 The machinery, as defined in Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General 1.1.2, is to be constructed and installed on board the floating dock in accordance with the relevant requirements of LR’s Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 (hereinafter referred to as the Rules for Ships), so far as they are applicable.

1.5.1 The materials used in the construction of hulls and machinery intended for classification, or in the repair of floating docks or dock gates already classed, 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 . The steel is to be manufactured by an approved process at works recognised by the Committee. Alternatively, tests to the satisfaction of the Committee will be required to demonstrate the suitability of the steel.

1.5.2 Concrete materials will be specially considered.

1.6.1 Alternative arrangements will be permitted, provided they are considered by the Committee to be equivalent to LR’s requirements.