Section 1 Surveys

1.1.1 The Surveyor is to satisfy themself as to the efficient condition of the following:

Pontoon/dock gate structure, safety and top working decks, exposed inner walls, shell plating above the light waterline, supporting blocks and their foundations, casings, skylights, companionways and ladders, hatchways and manholes with their closing and securing arrangements, exposed self-docking connections, hinged gangways, arrangements and attachments for mooring, towing and lifting, air pipes and overboard scuppers and discharges, guard rails and stanchions, rubbing fenders, supporting devices, roadways and crash barriers as applicable.

1.2.1 The Owners’ proposals for examination of the underwater portion of the floating dock or dock gate are to be submitted, and some combinations of the following could be used:

1. Underwater photography.

2. Underwater television.

3. Diver’s report.

4. Ultrasonic gauging of plating.

5. Careening for partial examination of bottom plating.

6. Examination out of the water.

The extent of the examination is to be agreed, but those coinciding with Special Surveys are to be more comprehensive than the intermediate examinations. These examinations may be restricted to the parts of underwater hull which have been freed from fouling. The number, size and location of these areas are to be to the Surveyor’s satisfaction.

At the time when examination of the underwater portion of dock gates is due out of water, the whole of the underwater portion is to be cleaned to enable examination; also, if alternative method/s of examination are being proposed, the proposals are to be submitted well in advance for consideration by the committee.

1.2.2 Each proposal submitted is to include a report on the conditions in which the floating dock or dock gate operates, i.e. whether fresh or salt, clear or dirty water; type of coating; whether or not cathodic protection is fitted, and any other relevant factors.

1.2.3 Seals and sealing arrangements fitted to the dock gate are to be examined to confirm their satisfactory condition. The remaining expected life of the seal is to be confirmed and seals replaced if considered necessary. Where a seal is permanently deformed, perished, has gaps or is otherwise damaged such that it no longer provides a continuous seal, it is to be replaced. Wooden seals are also to be inspected to ensure that there is no damage due to wood boring insects.

1.3.1 At annual and underwater surveys, the Surveyor is to examine the floating dock or dock gate and machinery (if applicable) so far as is practicable in order to satisfy himself as to their general condition.

1.4.1 The arrangements for fire protection, detection and extinction in floating docks are to be examined biennially. Surveys carried out by the National Authorities of the countries in which the floating dock is registered may be accepted as meeting these requirements.

1.5.1 At any time when a floating dock or dock gate is undergoing damage repairs or alterations, any exposed parts of the structure normally difficult to access should be specially examined, e.g. if any part of the machinery, including boilers, or insulation or fittings is removed for any reason the steel structure in way should be carefully examined by the Surveyor, or when concrete in the bottom or surfacing on decks is removed the plating in way should be examined before the cement or covering is relaid.

1.6.1  Enclosed space. 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: ballast tanks, double bottoms, double hull spaces, pump-rooms, compressor rooms, cofferdams, void spaces, duct keels, inter-barrier spaces, excavations and pits.

1.7.1 In order to enable the attending Surveyor(s) to carry out surveys, provisions for safe access and for surveys are to be agreed between the Owner and LR. Attention is drawn to the applicable recommendations in the IACS PR37 and/or IMO Recommendations For Entering Enclosed Spaces Aboard Ships, Resolution A.1050(27).

1.7.2 Means are to be provided to enable the Surveyor to examine the structure in a safe and practical way. Where the provisions of safety and required access are determined by the Surveyor not to be adequate, then the survey of the space(s) involved is not to proceed.

1.7.3 Spaces are to be made safe for access and survey and are to be sufficiently cleaned, illuminated and ventilated.

1.7.4 In preparation for survey, thickness measurements and to allow for a thorough examination, cleaning is to include removal from surfaces of all loose accumulated corrosion scale. Spaces are to be sufficiently clean and free from water, scale, dirt, and oil residues, etc. to reveal corrosion, deformation, fractures, damages or other structural deterioration, as well as the condition of the protective coating. 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 renewed areas.

1.7.5 Where soft or semi-hard 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 or semi-hard coating is to be removed.

1.7.6 Prior to entering an enclosed space, it is to be verified by a competent person, using a calibrated multi gas meter, that the atmosphere in that space is free from hazardous gas and contains sufficient oxygen.

1.7.7 Emergency equipment and personnel are to be available in case of an emergency or rescue operation.

1.7.8 Information on procedures, equipment-operating instructions and safety checklists is to be available.

1.7.9 During the survey, ventilation is to be ensured and periodic testing is to be carried out as necessary to verify that the atmosphere remains safe for access.

1.7.10 Rescue and emergency response equipment: if breathing apparatus and/or other equipment is used as ‘rescue and emergency response equipment’, the equipment is to be suitable for the configuration of the space being surveyed.