3 Access to Structures
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Marine Environment Protection Committee - Resolution MEPC.94(46) - Condition Assessment Scheme - (adopted on 27 April 2001) - Annex - Condition Assessment Scheme - Appendix 4 - Mandatory Requirements for the Safe Conduct of CAS Surveys - 3 Access to Structures

3 Access to Structures

  3.1 For overall survey, means shall be provided to enable the attending surveyors to examine the structure in a safe and practical way.

  3.2 For close-up survey, one or more of the following means for access, acceptable to the attending surveyors, shall be provided:

  • permanent staging and passages through structures
  • temporary staging and passages through structures
  • lifts and moveable platforms
  • rafts or boats
  • other equivalent means.

  3.3 Surveys of tanks or spaces by means of rafts or boats may only be undertaken with the agreement of the attending surveyors, who shall take into account the safety arrangements provided, including weather forecasting and ship response in reasonable sea conditions.

  3.4 When rafts or boats will be used for close up survey the following conditions shall be observed:

  • .1 only rough duty, inflatable rafts or boats, having satisfactory residual buoyancy and stability even if one chamber is ruptured, shall be used;

  • .2 the boat or raft shall be tethered to the access ladder and an additional person shall be stationed down the access ladder with a clear view of the boat or raft;

  • .3 appropriate lifejackets shall be available for all participants;

  • .4 the surface of water in the tank shall be calm (under all foreseeable conditions the expected rise of water within the tank shall not exceed 0.25 m) and the water level either stationary or falling. On no account shall the level of the water be rising while the boat or raft is in use;

  • .5 the tank or space must contain clean ballast water only. Even a thin sheen of oil on the water is not acceptable;

  • .6 at no time shall the water level be allowed to be within 1 m of the deepest under deck web face flat so that the survey team is not isolated from a direct escape route to the tank hatch. Filling to levels above the deck transverses shall only be contemplated if a deck access manhole is fitted and open in the bay being examined, so that an escape route for the survey party is available at all times;

  • .7 if the tanks (or spaces) are connected by a common venting system, or Inert Gas system, the tank in which the boat or raft is to be used shall be isolated to prevent a transfer of gas from other tanks (or spaces).

  3.5 In addition to the above rafts or boats alone may be allowed for inspection of the under deck areas for tanks or spaces, if the depth of the webs are 1.5 m or less.

  3.6 If the depth of the webs is more than 1.5 m, rafts or boats alone may be allowed only:

  • .1 when the coating of the under deck structure is in GOOD condition and there no evidence of wastage; or

  • .2 if a permanent means of access is provided in each bay to allow safe entry and exit. This means of access is to be direct from the deck via a vertical ladder and a small platform shall be fitted approximately 2 m below the deck.

 If neither of the above conditions are met then staging shall be provided for the survey of the under deck area.

Parent topic: Appendix 4 - Mandatory Requirements for the Safe Conduct of CAS Surveys
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