Russian Maritime Register of Shipping reviewes the Rules and Guidelines
In 2017, the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS, Register) reviewed the Rules and Guidelines and introduced the enquired amendments considering current demands of the maritime industry to keep them updated, RS said in its press release.
For convenience of using the normative documents the Register changes the structure and status of the Rules for Technical Supervision during Construction of Ships and Manufacture of Materials and Products for Ships by making clear distinction as regards three processes – classification during design approval, certification of materials and products for ships and technical supervision during construction of ships at the shipyard.
Thus, Part V "Technical Supervision during Construction of Ships" has been deleted from the Rules for Technical Supervision during Construction of Ships and Manufacture of Materials and Products for Ships. Based on the survey procedure described therein, the Guidelines for Technical Supervision during Construction of Ships have been developed. The provisions thereof may apply taking into account the particulars and differences in ship construction processes specific for the country where the Register performs the survey as well as the particular shipyard. The Guidelines have been developed following Section 13 "Technical Supervision at the Shipyard during Construction of Ships", Part I "General Regulations for Technical Supervision" of the Rules for Technical Supervision during Construction of Ships and Manufacture of Materials and Products for Ships. The documents will come into force on 1 July 2018 simultaneously with the Rules for Technical Supervision during Construction of Ships and Manufacture of Materials and Products for Ships, 2018.
Taking into account the current demands of the industry, new distinguishing marks and descriptive notations have been introduced to the RS Rules that allow considering operational particulars and indicate the availability of specific arrangements and equipment. Thus, a number of requirements have been introduced in the RS Rules due to development of technologies allowing using natural gas as a fuel on board the ships. For example, a group of distinguishing marks GRS (Gas Ready Ship) for ships prepared for conversion for the use of gas fuel. Apart from the distinguishing mark GRS, distinguishing marks specifying the ship's readiness for conversion: D – design of ship conversion is approved by the Register; H – necessary hull reinforcements have been provided in the areas of gas fuel storage tanks and other additional equipment installation; T – LNG tank has been installed on board the ship; P – gas fuel piping and other special systems are installed; E – gas fuel consumers installed on board the ship are dual fuel. Where the appropriate requirements are complied with, a number of distinguishing marks may be also assigned simultaneously in addition to the distinguishing mark GRS (e.g., GRS-D-H-T).
The requirements for boiler plant monitoring system and the distinguishing mark BMS (Boiler Monitoring System) have been introduced in the RS Rules to indicate that the system installed on board allow not to carry out internal survey of steam boilers in the presence of the RS surveyor. Other new distinguishing marks have been also developed, e.g. COMF(C) – the ship complies with special requirements for indoor climate of the ship’s space, and descriptive notation Anchor Handling Vessel.
Established in 1913, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is one of the leading classification societies. Recognised by the European Union. Member of IACS. The RS activity is aimed at enhancing high standards of maritime safety and minimising the negative impact of human activities on the environment through scientifically based risk assessment and risk management procedures.
