Section 1 Introduction

1.1.1 It is a requirement of most National Authorities that lifting appliances are approved, examined, tested and certified by a competent person or organisation before being taken into use and thereafter are periodically surveyed to maintain the validity of the certification.

1.1.2 Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) certification is internationally accepted and, where requested, LR will undertake the necessary certification of lifting appliances and subsequent surveys to ensure compliance with the statutory Regulations.

1.1.3 In certain cases, a National Authority requires its own certification to be used. Where authorised, LR is also able to arrange the issue of these certificates which may be in addition to the LR certification if so desired by the Owner.

1.1.4 Ships or offshore units fitted with appliances built in accordance with this Code in respect of structural and machinery requirements may be eligible for Special Features class notations. These notations will be retained so long as the appliances are found upon examination at the prescribed surveys to be maintained in accordance with LR’s requirements, see Ch 1, 1.3 Classification.

1.1.5 This Code is applicable to marine lifting appliances, including:

1. derrick and derrick crane systems;

2. launch and recovery appliances for survival craft and rescue boats;

3. cranes;

4. launch and recovery systems for diving operations;

5. lifts and ramps;

where these are installed on ships or offshore units for the following purposes:

• on ships, for handling cargo, equipment and personnel;
• on barges and pontoons, e.g. a floating crane;
• on fixed or mobile offshore installations, for transferring equipment;
• on ships or fixed or mobile offshore installations, for handling manned submersibles and diving systems;
• on ships, for transferring goods or personnel from one deck level to another;
• on ships and offshore installations for evacuation in an abandon ship/installation situation.

1.1.6 The Code is also applicable to shiplift and transfer system installations on which vessels are raised and lowered by means of winches or jacks when docked on an articulated or rigid platform structure.

1.1.7 Lifting appliances and applications not defined above will be considered on the general basis of the Code.

1.1.8 These requirements are based on the understanding that:

1. the appliance and/or equipment will at all times be properly loaded in accordance with the designer’s instructions and the loading conditions approved by LR.

2. where the appliance and/or equipment is to be certified but not classed, the design criteria specified conclude that Periodical Survey procedures, at least equivalent to LR’s, will be adhered to by the Owner or the equipment operator.

3. the appliance and/or equipment will at all times be properly operated by trained and authorised personnel.

4. the appliance and/or equipment will be maintained by qualified and authorised personnel.

5. compliance with these requirements does not absolve the designers and/or manufacturers of their contractual responsibilities to the client for compliance with the specification and the overall design and in-service performance of the appliance and/or equipment.

1.1.9 The interpretation of the Code is the sole responsibility, and at the sole discretion, of LR. Any uncertainty in the meaning of the requirements of the Code is to be referred to LR for clarification.

1.1.10 It is the responsibility of the Owners, Operators, designers, manufacturers and any repairers that they fully acquaint themselves with the scope of these requirements and associated obligations laid down herein, and have satisfied themselves that these requirements are sufficient for their purposes.

1.1.11 The Code embodies both the general requirements for compliance with major statutory Regulations for such applications, and the detailed requirements of LR either as an authorised body issuing statutory certificates or as an independent authority issuing its own form of certification.

1.1.12 It is emphasised that the Code deals primarily with the structural aspects of the lifting appliance. Driving mechanisms and similar mechanical parts are the responsibility of the designers of the gear, but tests to demonstrate ‘fail safe’ operation will be required during commissioning trials, see Ch 9 Machinery.

1.1.13 It is also emphasised that any lifting appliance support structure (such as mast or a crane pedestal), which is welded to a ship’s structure, constitutes part of the classed ship or classed offshore unit and is to comply with the appropriate classification requirements, even where the lifting appliance itself is not classed or certified by LR, see Figure 1.1.1 Classification items and applicability of LR’s requirements for lifting appliance pedestals and foundations.

Figure 1.1.1 Classification items and applicability of LR’s requirements for lifting appliance pedestals and foundations

1.2.1 The certification adopted by LR is the recognised form recommended by the International Labour Office (l.L.O.) and is also in accordance with current relevant directives of the European Community (EC).

1.2.2 It is the responsibility of the Owner or Operator to ensure that they comply with statutory requirements. Particular attention is drawn to the specific requirements of some authorities who do not accept surveys carried out by ship’s officers but require all surveys and certification to be carried out by nominated organisations such as LR.

1.2.3 Attention is also drawn to the more stringent requirements of certain authorities with respect to cranes offshore and lifting arrangements for diving operations.

1.2.4 It is LR’s interpretation of the intention of current National Regulations that every lifting appliance, including oil hose derricks, stores cranes and engine room cranes, is to be certified and compliance with this is strongly recommended to the Owner.

1.2.5 The minimum requirements for the issue by LR of certification in accordance with the Code are:

1. Plan approval of the structural arrangements.

2. Verification of materials.

3. Verification of manufacturer’s certificates for loose gear, ropes, etc.

4. Survey of the appliance.

5. Testing of the appliance when installed on board.

1.2.6 The above procedure is also to be applied so far as practicable in the case of existing appliances where LR’s certification is required, see Ch 12, 3.3 Initial Survey of existing installations 3.3.1.

Deviations from the above procedure will be subject to special consideration and agreement by LR.

Plan Approval may not be required for designs which are fully in compliance with a recognised National or International Standard and where the standard is compatible with the proposed environment and design of the lifting appliance. In all other cases, the loose gear items are to be designed as per the applicable requirements of Ch 8 Fittings, Loose Gear and Ropes.

Other loose gear items, such as shackles, swivels, chains, rings and similar items are not normally required to be certified by LR and manufacturer’s certificates will be accepted provided that the items have the required Safe Working Load (SWL) and are made of acceptable material.

1.2.8 Any request for LR’s services is to make it quite clear if compliance with any specific Regulations, Standard or Code is required. This is necessary for initial, periodical and any specific type of survey requested.

1.2.9 National and International Regulations require lifting appliances to receive Periodical Surveys and testing to maintain the validity of the certification.

1.2.10 Provided that the original certification is valid, up to date and was issued by a competent authority, LR will, upon request, carry out the necessary survey requirements, issue appropriate certificates and endorse the register of lifting appliances carried by the ship.

1.2.11 The requirements for Periodical Surveys are given in Ch 12 Testing, Marking and Surveys.

1.3.1 Ships or offshore units classed with LR and fitted with lifting appliances built in accordance with the requirement of this Code will be eligible to be assigned Special Features class notations in the Register Book as listed in Table 1.1.1 Special features class notations associated with lifting appliances.

Table 1.1.1 Special features class notations associated with lifting appliances

Lifting appliance	Special features class notation	Remarks
Cargo gear, derricks, derrick cranes or cranes on ships	CG	Optional notation Indicates that the vessel’s cargo gear is included in class
Units, offshore installations and offshore support vessels	OC	Optional notation Indicates that the installation’s unit’s or vessel’s main deck cranes are included in class
Pipe laying system	PLS	Optional notation Indicates that the pipe laying system is included in class
Personnel transfer system (Walk-to-Work)	W2W	Optional notation Indicates that the personnel transfer system is included in class
Lifts and ramps on vessels	CL PL CR	Optional notations Indicate that the vessel's cargo lifts (CL), passenger lifts (PL) or cargo ramps (CR) are included in class
Lifting appliances fitted to military naval vessels	LAP	Optional notation Indicates that lifting appliances have been designed and built in accordance with this Code (or equivalent standard), but where it is not mandated by the LA notation
Lifting appliances forming an essential feature of the vessel, e.g. cranes on crane barges or pontoons, some lifting arrangements for diving on diving support vessels, etc.	LA	Mandatory notation Indicates that the lifting appliance is included in class
Lifting appliances forming an essential feature of the vessel where the appliance(s) has been classed by a recognised classification society other than LR and later transferred into class with LR.		Mandatory notation. Indicates that the lifting appliance is classed and that initial requirements for the appliance were that of another recognised classification society.

1.3.2 Where the lifting appliance is considered to form an essential feature of a classed vessel, the Special Feature class notation LA or will, in general, be mandatory.

1.3.3 In other cases, classification is optional and may be assigned at the request of the Owner on compliance with the appropriate requirements, see also Ch 5 Shiplift and Transfer Systems.

1.3.4 Proposals to class lifting appliances on unclassed ships or offshore units will be specially considered.

1.3.5 The minimum requirements for classification of a lifting appliance are:

1. Plan approval of the structural, electrical, control and mechanical arrangements in accordance with LR’s requirements.

2. Verification of materials.

3. Verification of manufacturer’s certificates and testing of loose gear, ropes and fittings.

4. Survey of the lifting appliance.

5. Testing of the lifting appliance on installation.

6. Subsequent Periodical Surveys of the lifting appliance as required by Ch 12 Testing, Marking and Surveys.

1.3.6 Classification also fully meets the relevant requirements for statutory certification of the lifting appliance.

1.3.7 It should be noted that certain moveable support structures for loading and discharge arrangements, such as the rotating support boom for a dredger discharge pipe, are considered an essential feature of the ship and are included in the classification of the ship. A separate notation is not assigned.

1.3.8 From the time the notation is assigned, the subject appliance(s) will be tested and surveyed in accordance with the requirements of Ch 12 Testing, Marking and Surveys.

1.4.1 Recognised International or National Standards for the design of installations will be accepted as equivalent to the Code requirements, provided LR is satisfied in each case that the standard adequately takes into account all the forces resulting from the intended mode of operation. The relevant Standard is to be specified in the submission.

1.4.2 Recognised International or National Standards for components or fittings will generally be accepted as equivalent to the requirements of this Code.

1.4.3 Alternative arrangements or fittings which are considered to be equivalent to the requirements of this Code will be accepted.

1.5.1 Designers may be required to submit calculations for consideration when scantling plans are submitted for approval.

1.5.2 Where finite element/computer analysis forms the basis of the designer’s determination of scantlings, details of the analysis package and software are to be specified, together with the basic design criteria, to assist in LR’s approval procedures.

1.5.3 LR’s direct calculation procedures may include the use of suitable and appropriate spreadsheet and ‘calculation routine’ techniques and tools.

1.5.4 LR’s direct calculation procedures within the Lloyd’s Register’s Plan Appraisal Systems for Ships (LR.PASS) facilities may be used to assist in the design process. The available procedures and facilities are presented in the report summarising LR.PASS.

1.5.5 Where approval is required for appliances of novel design or with features not covered by this Code, LR may require additional calculations to be carried out.

1.6.1 Materials intended for the construction, or repair, of classed lifting appliances are to be in accordance with LR's Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials, July 2022. All material shall be sourced from an LR approved manufacturer, see Ch 1, 2.1 Approval and survey requirements – General of the Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials. The materials shall be ordered to be supplied with an ‘LR certificate’ or ‘Manufacturer’s certificate validated by LR’, as defined in Ch 1, 3 Certification of materials of the Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials.

1.6.2 The material specification shall be according to the materials specified in the Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials, July 2022.

1.6.3 Alternatives to the above material specification requirements given in Ch 1, 1.6 Materials and fabrication 1.6.2 are outlined in Ch 1, 1.6 Materials and fabrication 1.6.4 and Ch 1, 1.6 Materials and fabrication 1.6.5; however, the approval and survey requirements are to be in compliance with Ch 1 General Requirements, and Section 1 of subsequent Chapters, of the Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials as appropriate.

1.6.6 Materials intended for the construction of certified lifting appliances are, as a minimum, to be in accordance with a recognised National or International Standard that includes materials which are equivalent to those specified in the Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials, July 2022. In this case, the approval and survey requirements may not comply with the requirements of Ch 1 General Requirements, and Section 1 of subsequent Chapters, of the Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials and therefore the proposed materials may, at the discretion of the Surveyor, be subject to additional testing under LR survey prior to acceptance for any project.

1.6.7 Materials that are not addressed by Ch 1, 1.6 Materials and fabrication 1.6.1, Ch 1, 1.6 Materials and fabrication 1.6.2, Ch 1, 1.6 Materials and fabrication 1.6.3, Ch 1, 1.6 Materials and fabrication 1.6.4, Ch 1, 1.6 Materials and fabrication 1.6.5 or Ch 1, 1.6 Materials and fabrication 1.6.6 will be subject to special consideration by LR for both classed and certified applications.

1.6.8 An overview of the routes to achieve material acceptance for lifting appliances which are to be classed or certified by LR is provided in Table 1.1.2 Material requirements for classed and certified lifting appliances.

1.6.9 Fabrication and Non-Destructive Examination of lifting appliances is to be in accordance with the Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials, July 2022 and specific requirements of this Code, see Ch 11 Materials and Fabrication. Where alternative fabrication standards are proposed, these are to provide equivalence to these requirements.