RS updated Recommendations on Condition Assessment Program (CAP)
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) has published the updated Recommendations on Condition Assessment Program (CAP).
A new version of the Recommendations contains the detailed description of the assessment criteria of all components of ship’s hull structures, machinery and systems, criteria of the CAP rating scale and descriptive notations based on the survey results, specifies the requirements to fatigue strength calculation of hull structures and determination of residual service life of a ship. The scope of records to be submitted to the customer upon the service rendering has been substantially expanded.
The requirements of the leading domestic and international oil and gas companies have been implemented while preparing a new version of the Recommendations. The RS CAP service is recognized, inter alia, by Oil Majors Petronas and LUKOIL.
For customers’ convenience, the Recommendations contain the detailed information on the CAP operations executed by the Register (including the due dates and the RS Branch Offices in charge), as well as the complete list of information submitted by the shipowner. Special section related to CAP service is available on the RS website.
CAP services are intended for independent assessment and analysis of actual condition of ship’s hull structures, mechanical installation, machinery, devices, systems and electrical equipment. Based on the survey results, the relevant rating scale CAP1 to CAP4 is assigned to oil tankers, chemical tankers, gas carriers and oil bulk carriers. For underwriters, cargo terminals, charterers and shipowners high CAP rating scale is a documentary evidence of ship's operational safety regardless of its age. The available CAP1 and CAP2 rating scale enhances the ship commercial use and for a number of companies is a mandatory requirement during the vetting inspections of the ships engaged in terminal operations.
Review of the ship’s documents and history of technical operation, performance of survey and measurement of technical parameters, ship’s strength assessment, as well as fatigue strength analysis within the CAP framework assist in early troubleshooting and drawing-up of scheduled maintenance plans that may extend the ship’s service life, reduce the risks of unscheduled downtime and improve safe operation of a ship.
