Leading international classification society Bureau Veritas has issued new rules for the Classification of Offshore Service Vessels and Tugs, including new class notations for pipelay vessels, accommodation units, offshore construction vessels and offshore support vessels.
The new rules set out requirements for the classification of a wide range of vessels performing construction, installation, maintenance and other support activities at sea. These requirements cover towing, anchor handling, supply, fire-fighting, oil recovery, diving support, lifting, standby and rescue, accommodation, pipe laying, cable laying and semi-submersible heavy transport vessels.
New and updated class notations and service features have also been included for:
Wind turbine installation vessels
Self-elevating units - covering the legs and elevating systems fitted on liftboats
MOUs (Mobile Offshore Units) Code compliant accommodation
SP[PoB]-capable (Special Purpose / number of persons on-board), indicating compliance with the 2008 SPS Code for an anticipated increase of the number of persons on-board
Service notations for tugs and escort tugs - indications for the design values of bollard pull, steering/braking force and speed, in combination with operating area notations for restricted operations as applicable, i.e. for harbour tugs or coastal tugs
Feedback, from international cross-industry projects and working such as SafeTug and a range of IMO groups focused on stability for towing, anchor handling, lifting operations and supply operations, has been incorporated into the new rules.
The rules entered into force on July 1st 2017 as described in a new booklet (NR467-E), which is now part of the Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships.
About Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has more than 69,000 employees in around 1,400 offices and laboratories located all across the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its clients to improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility. Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the Next 20 index.