Section 1 General

1.1.1 Amphibious Air Cushion Vehicles (hereinafter referred to as ACVs) are considered upon request in accordance with Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.1 Applicable craft types 2.1.2 of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft (hereinafter referred to as SSC Rules). In addition to the following requirements, ACVs are to comply with the General Regulations given in Pt 1 Regulations of the SSC Rules.

1.1.2 These Rules contain requirements for ACVs of aluminium construction and fitted with flexible skirts. ACVs are defined in Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.2 Definitions of the SSC Rules.

1.1.3 Where the requirements given in these Rules are complied with, an appropriate notation may be assigned, see Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.7 Craft type notations and Pt 1, Ch 2 Classification Regulations of the SSC Rules.

1.1.4 Where any aspect of the design or construction is not covered by this Rule set, the relevant requirements of other parts of the SSC Rules are to be applied as appropriate.

1.1.5 Alternative methods of establishing design criteria will be specially considered, provided they are based on established Codes or Standards acceptable to Lloyd’s Register (hereinafter referred to as LR).

1.1.6 ACVs built and classed in accordance with these Rules will be assigned an operational envelope. This will be based on the allowable speeds, maximum wave height and corresponding all-up weight. It will form an appendix to the Classification Certificate and is to be incorporated into the ACVs’ Operational Manual. The assigned operational envelope is to be clearly displayed in the wheelhouse.

1.1.7 Impact, on the hard structure or other components, other than wave impact, during operation is outside the scope of Classification.

1.2.1 The following definitions apply except where they are inappropriate or where specifically defined otherwise.

1.2.2  Hard structure, is the watertight hull envelope excluding any skirt systems.

1.2.3  Maximum All-Up-Weight, W _max, is the maximum weight at which the ACV has been assessed for normal operation, in kg.

1.2.4  Minimum All-Up-Weight, W _min , is the minimum weight at which the ACV has been assessed for normal operation, in kg.

1.2.5  Lifting Weight, W _L , is the maximum weight at which the ACV has been assessed for jacking and slinging, in kg.

1.2.6  Length, L, is the maximum length of the hard structure, excluding projections, in metres.

1.2.7  Length overall, L _OA , is the maximum overall length of the ACV, in metres.

1.2.8  Breadth, B , is the maximum breadth of the hard structure excluding projections, in metres.

1.2.9  Breadth overall, B _OA , is the maximum overall breadth of the ACV, in metres.

1.2.10  Depth, D , is the maximum depth of the hard structure, in metres.

1.2.11  Draught, T , is the off-cushion draught at the design waterline, in metres.

1.2.12  LCG is the longitudinal centre of gravity, in metres.