Section 4 Surveys and certificates

4.1.1 LR will act, when authorized on behalf of Governments and requested to do so by Owners/operators, in respect of National and International statutory safety and other requirements.

4.2.1 When it is intended to build a linkspan for classification with LR, application should be made to LR in writing. Constructional plans and all necessary particulars relevant to the structural aspects, equipment and machinery, where applicable, and as detailed in the Rules, are to be submitted before the work is commenced. Any proposals for subsequent modifications or additions to the scantlings, arrangements or equipment are to be submitted for approval before work commences.

4.2.2 Where the proposed design of a linkspan embodies the use of either materials or principles of structural arrangement (or of construction) which are without established successful precedent to an extent that the short and/or long term performance of the design cannot, in the opinion of LR, be predicted with confidence by conventional analytical methods, then special tests (which may include model tests) and/or examinations either before the commissioning of and/or during the early service life of the linkspan may be required. In such cases a suitable notation may be entered in the Maritime Guide.

4.2.3 The materials used in the construction of the linkspan and machinery intended for classification are to comply with the requirements of the Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials, July 2022 .

4.2.4 The Surveyor is to be satisfied that the capability, organizational systems and facilities of the builder and any sub-contractors are such that acceptable standards can be obtained both for the construction of the linkspan and the installation of machinery, hydraulic, electrical and control equipment.

4.2.5 New linkspans intended for classification are to be built and installed under LR's Special Survey. The Surveyors are to be satisfied that the materials, workmanship and arrangements at the locations of component manufacture and installation are in accordance with the Rules. Any items not in accordance with the Rules or the approved plans are to be brought to the attention of the attending Surveyors and rectified to their satisfaction.

4.2.6 For compliance with Pt 1, Ch 2, 4.2 New construction surveys 4.2.5, LR is prepared to consider methods of survey and inspection for construction which formally include partial reliance on defined procedures relating to the builder's management, organization and quality systems and thereby to those of the component manufacturers.

4.2.7 Copies of approved plans (showing the linkspan as built), essential certificates and records are to be made readily available for use when required by LR's Surveyors.

4.2.8 At key stages during component manufacture and installation, to be agreed with the builders, or their sub-contractors as appropriate, the linkspan is to be examined by the LR Surveyor and upon completion of installation the linkspan is to be examined by the LR Surveyor and tested as specified in the Rules.

4.2.9 All control equipment essential for the operation and/or safety of the linkspan is to be arranged, installed and tested in accordance with the Rules, as applicable.

4.2.10 The date of completion of the Special Survey during construction of linkspans built under LR's inspection will normally be taken as the date of build to be entered in the Maritime Guide. If the period between fabrication at the builders and completion of installation at the site is, for any reason, unduly prolonged, the dates of fabrication and completion of installation at the site may be separately indicated in the Maritime Guide.

4.2.11 A linkspan which is not put into commission within six months of completion may be re-examined before being put into service. If the condition is then found to be satisfactory, subsequent surveys will date from the time of such examination.

4.3.1 When classification is desired for a linkspan not built under the supervision of LR's Surveyors, application should be made to LR in writing.

4.3.2 Information as detailed in Pt 3, Ch 1, 8 Information required for approval is to be submitted. If plans cannot be obtained or prepared by the operators, facilities are to be given for LR's Surveyors to obtain the necessary information from the linkspan.

4.3.3 Plans of the following items, where fitted, (plans of piping are to be diagrammatic) together with the particulars of the materials used in the construction of the air receivers and important forgings are to be submitted:

• General pumping arrangements, including air and sounding pipes.
• Bilge and ballast pumping arrangements in the machinery space, including the capacities of the pumps on bilge service.
• Air receivers.
• Electrical circuits.
• Arrangement of compressed air systems.
• Arrangement of hydraulic systems.
• Ventilation arrangements of all enclosed spaces which require access.
• Remote and/or automatic controls for operating machinery.

4.3.4 Plans additional to those detailed in Pt 1, Ch 2, 4.3 The first classification of existing linkspans not built under survey 4.3.3 need not be submitted unless the machinery is of a novel or special character affecting classification.

4.3.5 The survey requirements for linkspans which have not been built under LR's Survey are indicated in Pt 1, Ch 3, 8 Initial classification of linkspans not built under survey.

4.3.6 In the case of linkspans over 15 years of age, the requirements for classification of linkspans not built under survey will be specially considered.

4.4.1 When reclassification or class reinstatement is desired for a linkspan 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 linkspan and the circumstances of the case, be carried out by LR's Surveyors. If, at such survey, the linkspan is found to be in accordance with the requirements of the Rules and Regulations, the Committee will be prepared to consider reinstatement of the original class or the assignment of such other class as may be deemed necessary. The date of any reclassification will be recorded in the Maritime Guide.

4.4.2 In the case of linkspans over 15 years of age, the requirements for reclassification will be specially considered.

4.4.3 The Committee reserves the right to decline an application for classification or reclassification where the prior history or condition of the linkspan indicates this to be appropriate.

4.5.1 Linkspans are to be subjected to the periodical survey requirements as defined in Pt 1, Ch 3 Periodical Survey Regulations.

4.5.2 Annual Surveys are to be held on all linkspans within three months, before or after each anniversary of the completion, commissioning or Special Survey.

4.5.3 Docking or In-water Surveys are to be held on all floating or submerged elements of linkspans twice in a five year period and the maximum interval between successive surveys is not to exceed three years, and one of the two surveys required in a five year period should coincide with the Special Survey. Consideration may be given at the discretion of the Committee to any special circumstances justifying an extension of this interval.

4.5.4 Intermediate Surveys are to be held on all linkspans instead of the second or third Annual Survey after completion, commissioning or Special Survey.

4.5.5 The interval between Docking or In-water Surveys for linkspans operating in fresh water may, at the discretion of the Committee, be greater than that given in Pt 1, Ch 2, 4.5 Existing linkspans - Periodical Surveys 4.5.3.

4.5.6 Attention is to be given by the operators to any relevant statutory requirements of the National Authority of the country in which the linkspan is sited.

4.5.7 Survey requirements for Docking or In-water Surveys are given in Pt 1, Ch 3, 3 Docking Surveys and In-water Surveys - Structural and machinery requirements as appropriate.

4.5.8 All linkspans classed with LR are also to be subjected to Special Surveys. The Surveys become due at five-yearly intervals, the first periodical Special Survey five years from the date of the first Special Survey during construction or date of the first Special Survey for Classification, and thereafter five years from the date for the previous Special Survey. Consideration can be given at the discretion of the Committee to any exceptional circumstances justifying an extension of the linkspan classification to a maximum of three months beyond the fifth year. If an extension is agreed, the next period of classification will start from the due date of the Special Survey before the extension was granted.

4.5.9 Special Surveys may be commenced at the fourth Annual Survey or fourth anniversary, as appropriate, after completion, commissioning or previous Special Survey, and be progressed during the succeeding year with a view to completion by the due date of the Special Survey.

4.5.10 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.

4.5.11 Linkspans which have satisfactorily passed a Special Survey will have a record entered in the Maritime Guide indicating the date. Where the Special Survey is completed more than three months before the due date, the new record of Special Survey will be the final date of survey. In all other cases the date recorded will be the fifth anniversary.

4.5.12 Complete Surveys of machinery become due at five yearly intervals, the first one five years from the date of build or date of first classification as recorded in the Maritime Guide, and thereafter five years from the date recorded in the Maritime Guide for the previous Complete Survey. Consideration can be given at the discretion of the Committee to any exceptional circumstances justifying an extension to a maximum of three months beyond the fifth year. If an extension is agreed to, the next period of machinery class will start from the due date of Complete Survey of machinery before extension was granted. 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. On satisfactory completion of a Survey, an appropriate record will be made in the Maritime Guide. Where the Complete Survey is completed more than three months before the due date, the new date recorded will be the final date of survey. In all other cases the date recorded will be the fifth anniversary.

4.5.13 If it is found desirable that any part of the machinery should be examined again before the due date of the next survey, a certificate for a limited period will be granted in accordance with the nature of the case.

4.5.14 Linkspans covered by Pt 1, Ch 2, 4.2 New construction surveys 4.2.2 may be subject to additional survey requirements. Such survey requirements will be detailed at the assignment of classification.

4.6.1 All repairs to the structure, equipment and machinery which may be required in order that a linkspan may retain class, (see Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General 1.1.7), are to be carried out to the satisfaction of LR's Surveyors.

4.6.2 When at any survey the Surveyors consider repairs to be immediately necessary, either as a result of damage, or wear and tear, they are to communicate their recommendations at once to the operators, or their representative. When such recommendations are not complied with, immediate notification is to be given by the Surveyors to the Committee so that the class status of the installation may be considered.

4.6.3 When at any survey it is found that any damage, defect or breakdown (see Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General 1.1.7) is of such a nature that does not require immediate permanent repair, but is sufficiently serious to require rectification by a prescribed date in order to maintain class, a suitable condition of class is to be imposed by the Surveyors and recommended to the Committee for consideration.

4.6.4 If a linkspan is to be moved from the service area under tow or by any other means and the operators wish the linkspan to remain in class, the operators are to advise LR prior to departure.

4.6.5 Plans and particulars of any proposed alterations to the approved scantlings and arrangements of the structure or machinery are to be submitted for approval to LR by the operators or builders or their representatives at the earliest opportunity, prior to the commencement of the alterations and such alterations are to be carried out to the satisfaction of LR's Surveyors.

4.7.1 When the required reports, on completion of the survey of new or existing linkspans which have been submitted for classification, have been received from the Surveyors and approved by the Committee, a Certificate 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 the Owners/operators.

4.7.2 A Certificate of Class valid for five years subject to endorsement for Annual and Intermediate Surveys, as appropriate, will also be issued to the operators after the satisfactory completion of each special survey.

4.7.3 LR's Surveyors are permitted to issue provisional (interim) certificates to enable a linkspan classed with LR to enter or continue in service provided that in their opinion it complies with the Rules. Such certificates will embody the Surveyors' recommendations for continuance of class, but all such certificates are subject to confirmation by the Committee.

4.8.1 It is the responsibility of the operators to ensure that all surveys necessary for the maintenance of class are carried out at the proper time and in accordance with the instructions of the Committee.

4.8.2 LR will give timely written notice to operators about forthcoming surveys. The omission of such notice, however does not absolve the operators from their responsibility to comply with LR's survey requirements for maintenance of class.

4.9.1 Surveys for continuation of class may be required at the discretion of the Committee.

4.10.1 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.

4.11.1 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.