Section 2 Surveys – General

2.1.1 When it is intended to build a floating dock or dock gate for classification with LR, constructional plans and all necessary particulars of the hull and machinery, are to be submitted. (See Pt 2, Ch 1, 1.5 Plans required and Pt 2, Ch 1, 1.6 Data required for floating docks, Pt 2, Ch 3, 1.2 Plans required for fire safety, and Pt 2, Ch 4, 1.4 Plans for machinery). Proposals for any subsequent modifications or additions to the scantlings, arrangements or equipment shown on the approved plans are also to be submitted in writing and on plans for approval.

2.1.2 Where the proposed construction of any part of the hull or machinery is novel in design, or involves the use of unusual material, or where experience, in the opinion of the 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 inserted in the Register Book.

2.1.3 New floating docks and dock gates intended for classification are to be built under LR’s Special Survey and when classed will, as appropriate, be entitled to the notation ✠ ‘A’ Floating Dock or ✠ Dock Gate. From the commencement of the work until the completion of the floating dock, the Surveyors are to examine the materials, workmanship and arrangements. Any items found not to be in accordance with the Rules or the approved plans, or any material, workmanship or arrangement found to be unsatisfactory, are to be rectified.

2.1.4 New machinery for a floating dock classed or intended for classification is to be constructed under LR’s Special Survey. The Special Survey during construction of the machinery shall relate to the period from the commencement of the work until the final test under working conditions. Any items not in accordance with the Rules or the approved plans, or any material, workmanship or arrangement found to be unsatisfactory, are to be rectified.

2.1.5 Machinery should, in principle, incorporate items which have been type tested and approved by LR. Constructional plans and particulars of approved items need not be included in submissions required by Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.1 New construction surveys 2.1.1.

2.1.6 The date of completion of the Special Survey during construction of a floating dock or dock gate built under LR’s inspection will normally be taken as the date of build to be entered in the Register Book. If the period between launching and completion or commissioning is, for any reason, unduly prolonged, the dates of launching and completion or commissioning may be separately indicated in the Register Book.

2.2.1 Classification of floating docks and dock gates not built under survey. The requirements of the Committee for the classification of floating docks and dock gates which have not been built under LR’s survey are indicated in Pt 1, Ch 3, 4 Classification of floating docks and dock gates not built under survey.

2.2.2  Reclassification. When reclassification or class reinstatement is desired for a floating dock or dock gate for which the class previously assigned by LR has been withdrawn or suspended, the Committee will direct that a Survey appropriate to the age of the floating dock or dock gate and the circumstances of the case, be carried out by LR’s Surveyors. If, at such survey, the floating dock or dock gate be found or placed in a good and efficient condition in accordance with the requirements of the Rules and Regulations, the Committee will be prepared to reinstate the original class or assign such other class as may be deemed necessary. The date of the reclassification will be recorded in the Supplement to the Register Book.

2.2.3 The Committee reserves the right to decline an application for classification or reclassification where the prior history or condition of the floating dock or dock gate indicates this to be appropriate.

2.3.1 All repairs to hull and machinery which may be required in order that a floating dock or dock gate may retain class are to be carried out to the satisfaction of LR’s Surveyors. When repairs are effected at a port where the services of an LR Surveyor are not available, the repairs are to be surveyed by one of LR’s Surveyors at the earliest opportunity thereafter.

2.3.2 When at any survey the Surveyors consider repairs to be necessary, either as a result of damage, or of wear and tear, and repairs are not agreed by the Owner the Surveyor is to notify Southampton GTC Office immediately.

2.3.3 If a floating dock or dock gate which is classed with LR is damaged to such an extent as to necessitate towage outside port limits, it shall be the Owner’s responsibility to notify LR prior to commencement of the towage.

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

2.4.1 Floating docks are to be surveyed afloat at intervals of approximately one year, in accordance with the requirements given in Pt 1, Ch 3, 1.1 Annual surveys.

2.4.2 Dock gates are to be surveyed at intervals of approximately one year, in accordance with the requirements given in Pt 1, Ch 3, 1.1 Annual surveys.

2.4.3 An examination of the underwater portion of the floating dock or dock gate is to be carried out at intervals not exceeding three years. A minimum of two examinations are to be held in each five year Special Survey Period. Consideration may be given at the discretion of the Committee to any special circumstances justifying an extension of this interval. Alternate examinations to coincide with the Special Surveys are given in Pt 1, Ch 3, 1.2 Underwater surveys.

2.4.4 For dock gates over 15 years of age, at least one of the examinations of the underwater portion of the dock gate in each five year Special Survey period is to be held with the dock gate out of the water. However, at the time when examination out of the water is due, the Committee may give consideration to accepting other methods of examination for the underwater portion of the dock gate, depending on the circumstances for each case. Other methods of examination are given in Pt 1, Ch 3, 1.2 Underwater surveys

2.4.5 Floating docks and dock gates are also to be subjected to Special Surveys in accordance with the requirements given in Pt 1, Ch 3 Periodical Survey Regulations, Sections Pt 1, Ch 3, 2 Special surveys – Hull requirements to Pt 1, Ch 3, 4 Classification of floating docks and dock gates not built under survey. The first Special Survey becomes due five years from the date of build and thereafter every five years from the due date of the previous Special Survey.

2.4.6 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 postponement, 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 hull. For this purpose the Committee will normally call for a General Examination of the floating dock or dock gate, including Annual Survey and Underwater Survey if due or becoming due during the proposed period of postponement, of sufficient extent 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.

2.4.7 Special Surveys which are commenced prior to their due date are not to extend over a period greater than 12 months, except with the prior approval of the Committee.

2.4.8 Floating docks and dock gates which have satisfactorily passed a Special Survey will have a record entered in the Supplement to the Register Book indicating the date. Where a Special Survey is not completely carried out at one time, the date recorded in the Supplement will be the date at which the principal part of the requirements is complied with. Records of Special Survey will not be assigned until LR’s requirements for machinery surveys are satisfactorily completed.

2.4.9 When, at the request of an Owner, it has been agreed by the Committee that the complete survey of the hull may be carried out on the Continuous Survey basis, all compartments of the hull should be opened for survey and testing in rotation with an interval of five years between consecutive examinations of each part. If the examination during Continuous Survey reveals any defects, further parts are to be opened up and examined as considered necessary by the Surveyor. Floating docks and dock gates which have satisfactorily completed the cycle will have a record entered in the Supplement to the Register Book indicating the date of completion.

2.4.10 For maintenance of class, the machinery, as defined in Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General 1.1.2, is to be subjected to Periodical Surveys in accordance with the relevant requirements of Pt 1, Ch 2 Classification Regulations of the Rules for Ships, so far as these are applicable.

2.4.11 Complete Surveys of machinery become due five years from the date of build and thereafter every five years from the due date of the previous Complete Survey.

2.4.12 Whether or not Complete Surveys are commenced prior to their due date, they are not to extend over a period greater than 12 months without the prior approval of the Committee.

2.4.13 When it is inconvenient for an Owner to fulfil all the requirements of a Complete Survey at its due date, the Committee will be prepared to consider its postponement, 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 Committee will normally require 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. The General Examination will usually include any item which has not been surveyed for five years, together with any item in respect of which the five year interval would otherwise be exceeded during the period of postponement.

2.4.14 When, at the request of an Owner, it has been agreed by the Committee that the Complete Survey of the machinery may be carried out on the Continuous Survey basis, the various items of machinery are to be opened for survey in rotation, so far as practicable, to ensure that the interval between consecutive examinations of each item will not exceed five years. In general, approximately one fifth of the machinery is to be examined each year.

2.5.1 When the required reports, on completion of the Special Survey of new or existing floating docks or dock gates which have been submitted for classification, have been received from the Surveyors and approved by the Committee, certificates of first entry of classification, signed by the Chairman or the Deputy-Chairman and Chairman of the Sub-Committee of Classification, will be issued to Builders or Owners.

2.5.2 Certificates of class maintenance in respect of completed Periodical Surveys of hull and machinery will also be issued to Owners on application.

2.5.3 LR’s Surveyors are permitted to issue provisional (interim) certificates to enable a floating dock or dock gate, classed with LR, to operate at her specified port provided that, in their opinion, it is in a fit and efficient condition. Such certificates will embody the Surveyor’s recommendations for continuance of class, but in all cases are subject to confirmation by the Committee.

2.6.1 It is the responsibility of the Owner to ensure that all surveys necessary for the maintenance of class are carried out at the proper time under the supervision of LR’s Surveyors.

2.6.2 The Society will make available to an Owner timely notice about forthcoming surveys by means of a Quarterly Listing of Surveys, Conditions of Class and Memoranda. 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 Class Direct website.

2.7.1 When the class of a floating dock or dock gate, for which the Regulations as regards surveys on hull and machinery have been complied with, is withdrawn by the Committee in consequence of a request from the Owner, the notation ‘Class withdrawn at Owners’ request’ (with date) will be assigned.

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

2.7.3 When it is found from reported defects in the hull or machinery that a floating dock or dock gate is not entitled to retain class in the Register Book and the Owner fails to repair such defects in accordance with LR’s requirements, the class will be suspended or withdrawn, at the discretion of the Committee, and a corresponding notation indicating that class has been suspended or withdrawn because of reported defects will be assigned.

2.7.4 In all instances of class withdrawal or suspension, the assigned notation, with date of application, will initially appear in the Supplement to the Register Book and subsequently in the Register Book. In cases where class has been suspended by the Committee and it becomes apparent that the Owners are no longer interested in retaining LR’s class, the notation will be amended to withdrawn status. After class withdrawn status has been established in the Register Book for one year, it will be automatically amended to ‘classed LR until’ (with date).

2.7.5 For reclassification and reinstatement of class, see Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.2 Existing floating docks and dock gates 2.2.2.

2.8.1 If the recommendations of LR’s Surveyors are considered in any case to be unnecessary or unreasonable, appeal may be made to the Committee, who may direct a special examination to be held.

2.9.1 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.