Section 1 Conditions for classification

1.1.1 The Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Linkspans, hereinafter referred to as the Rules, are applicable to those types of facilities which are defined in Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.2 Application 1.2.1.

1.1.2 Assignment of classification will, on compliance with these Rules, be granted by the Committee on the basis that the designers, builders, repairers, Owners and operators of the linkspan:

1. bear the prime responsibility for all the safety-related aspects of the linkspan which fall within the scope of their intervention;

2. have fully acquainted themselves with the scope of these Rules and the associated obligations laid down herein;

3. have satisfied themselves that these Rules are sufficient for their purposes;

4. are aware of their obligations under all National and International codes and statutory requirements which may be applicable.

1.1.3 The Rules are based on the understanding that:

1. the linkspan will, at all times, be properly loaded in accordance with the designer's instructions and the loading conditions approved by LR;

2. the linkspan will, at all times, be properly operated by trained and authorized personnel;

3. the linkspan will be maintained by qualified and authorized personnel;

4. compliance with the Rules does not relieve the designers and/or builders/contractors of their contractual responsibilities to their Client for compliance with the specification and the requirements for the overall design and in-service performance of the linkspan;

5. the linkspan will not be operated outside the parameters specified in the approval and in the class notation without the prior agreement of LR.

1.1.4 New linkspans which are designed, constructed and installed in accordance with the Rules, will be assigned a class and will continue to be classed so long as they are found, upon examination at the prescribed surveys, to be maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Rules to the satisfaction of the Committee. Classification will be conditional upon compliance with all requirements of LR.

1.1.5 The class notations of these linkspans will be recorded in the Maritime Guide. See also Pt 1, Ch 2, 3 Class characters and notations.

1.1.6 LR will require to be satisfied that linkspans are suitable for the environmental conditions at the intended geographical service locations and which may not apply if the linkspan is moved to a different location.

1.1.7 Any damage, defect, breakdown or grounding, which could adversely affect the ability of the linkspan to accommodate the conditions for which a class has been assigned, is to be reported to LR by its client without delay.

Figure 2.1.1 Interface works

1.2.1 These Rules apply to the classification of linkspans which, unless formally agreed otherwise by LR, are defined as follows:

Linkspans are non-self-propelled marine facilities, sited at fixed locations normally within protected waters (see Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.2 Application 1.2.5), for the transfer of vehicular and/or passenger traffic between shore and ship.

For the purposes of this definition a linkspan may be:

• a floating structure or may derive its support from non-buoyant means, or a combination of both;
• linked to the shore by a single or multiple system of bridges, ramps or walkways;
• held on station by a mooring system or a tethering arrangement consisting of a system of guidepiles or dolphins, or other tethering arrangements, see Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.3 Scope of classification 1.3.4.

1.2.2 Classification in accordance with these Rules is normally assigned on the basis that the linkspan will not fulfil any station-keeping function for the ships which use it. Should any such station-keeping function be contemplated, full details are to be submitted at the earliest possible stage so that the feasibility of the proposal can be considered. The classification of any such linkspan will be specially considered.

1.2.3 If it is intended, despite the definition given in Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.2 Application 1.2.1, to operate a linkspan at a location outside protected waters, full details are to be submitted at the earliest possible stage in order to establish the feasibility of the proposal. The classification of any such linkspan will be specially considered.

1.2.4 These Rules do not apply to the classification of ship-mounted ramps. For ship-mounted ramps see Pt 3, Ch 9, 3 Drag coefficients for pontoons of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships (hereinafter referred to as the Rules for Ships) and Ch 5, 3 Materials of construction of the LR Code for Lifting Appliances in a Marine Environment (LAME Code).

1.2.5 For the purposes of these Rules, protected water is defined as an area which, if connected to open water, is substantially shielded from the sea states associated with the open water by the configurations of the land and/or infrastructure which partially surround the area. In any particular situation, the degree of protection required depends on the severity of the open water sea states to be attenuated and on the structural sensitivity of the items within the area to be protected. This is a question of judgement which, when doubt exists, will normally require resolution by the measures indicated in Pt 3, Ch 1, 2.1 General 2.1.1. Open water is an area having a fetch in excess of six nautical miles.

1.2.6 These Rules may not apply to ramps, bridges and walkways which are intended to be mechanically hoisted and lowered when loaded with vehicles or passengers. If it is intended that they may be mechanically hoisted or lowered when loaded with passengers or vehicles then that element will be treated as a lifting appliance and the requirements of the appropriate sections of LR's Code for Lifting Appliances in a Marine Environment, July 2022 will also apply. Additionally, other National Standards may be applicable.

1.2.7 For the purposes of these Rules the term machinery is to cover all aspects of engineering systems described in Pt 4 Engineering Systems.

1.2.8 For the purposes of these Rules the term ship is to be taken to cover any type of marine craft suitable for the installation.

1.2.9 For the purposes of these Rules the term walkway is to be taken to cover any type of walkway which is part of the linkspan and is designed to be used by passengers and others for boarding a ship. It does not include walkways/platforms/ladders, etc. solely provided for service/maintenance/inspection purposes of the linkspan or any walkways which are not part of the linkspan such as ships' gangways, accommodation ladders, brows and pilot ladders.

1.2.10 For the purposes of these Rules the term operators is taken to mean the authority or authorities appointed to manage the operation and maintenance of the linkspan. The operators may be the Owners of the linkspan.

1.2.11 For the purposes of these Rules the term passenger in relation to a walkway is to include all persons, and where appropriate animals, who may use that walkway.

1.3.1 Classification covers the design, construction and Periodical Survey of the linkspan to the extent indicated within the Rules. However, coverage may, in special circumstances, and by formal agreement with LR, be extended to cover the further aspects indicated in Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.2 Application 1.2.2 Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.2 Application 1.2.3, Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.2 Application 1.2.4, Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.2 Application 1.2.5 and Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.2 Application 1.2.6.

1.3.2 For each such aspect the extent of LR classification coverage is strictly limited to the requirements indicated in these Rules, and it is achieved by way of the intervention of LR Surveyors at the appropriate stages of design, construction, installation, commissioning, and, periodically, during service.

1.3.3 The in-service stability of the linkspan is the responsibility of the operators.

1.3.4 Interface works, such as the bankseats, guidepiles or dolphins and anchors, and the associated sea-bed conditions, where applicable, and approach roads and bridges are not within the scope of classification. Components of the mooring/tethering arrangement such as chains, mooring ropes and mooring arm structures are to comply with the requirements of Pt 3, Ch 7 Mooring and Tethering Arrangements Figure 2.1.1 Interface works indicates items included in classification (lighter shading) and those outwith classification (darker shading).

1.3.5 Where a linkspan is so badly damaged that class has to be suspended, LR is prepared to assist the operators with advice on measures to be taken for reclassification, if requested.

1.3.6 The attention of Owners/operators, builders and designers is drawn to statutory requirements which may be imposed by the relevant National Administration and which may not be within the scope of classification. If there is any conflict between local statutory requirements and those of LR then the local requirements would take priority without necessarily affecting LR Classification, provided the structural strength and safety aspects are not compromised.

1.4.1 The interpretation of the Rules is the sole responsibility, and at the sole discretion, of LR. Any uncertainty in the meaning of the Rules is to be referred to LR for clarification.

1.5.1 It is the responsibility and the duty of the builder/main contractor to enable the Surveyors to satisfy themselves that the materials, workmanship and arrangements comply with the classification requirements by arranging for the Surveyors to be present at appropriate stages during the work and for presenting the items to be surveyed in such a way that the Surveyors are readily able to establish that all component/sub-component items have been manufactured, assembled, and tested in accordance with the appropriate requirements.

1.5.2 It is the responsibility of the Owners/operators, designer, builder and the installer to familiarize themselves with the appropriate sections of the Rules.

1.5.3 Survey procedures undertaken by LR when providing services are on the basis of periodical visits involving both monitoring and direct survey. However, LR's Surveyors will not be in continual attendance. Since construction and installation are continuous processes, the builder has the overall responsibility to ensure and document that the requirements of the Rules, approved drawings and any amendments agreed by the attending LR Surveyors have been complied with.