Section 1 Conditions for classification
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 - Part 1 Regulations - Chapter 2 Classification Regulations - Section 1 Conditions for classification

Section 1 Conditions for classification

1.1 General

1.1.1 Ships referred to in this Chapter are defined in Pt 3 Ship Structures (General), Pt 4 Ship Structures (Ship Types) and Pt 7 Other Ship Types and Systems of these Rules. Machinery referred to in this Chapter is defined in Pt 5 Main and Auxiliary Machinery and Pt 6 Control, Electrical, Refrigeration and Fire of these Rules. Systems referred to in this Chapter are defined in Pt 7 Other Ship Types and Systems of these Rules. Materials are referred to in the Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials, July 2022 .

1.1.2 Ships built in accordance with Lloyd’s Register Group Limited’s Rules and Regulations, or in accordance with requirements equivalent thereto, will be assigned a class in the Register Book and will continue to be classed as long as they are found, upon examination at the prescribed surveys, to be maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Rules. Classification will be conditional upon compliance with LR's requirements for both hull and machinery and with the Certification Requirements of Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General.

1.1.3 The Classification Committee, in addition to requiring compliance with LR's Rules, may require to be satisfied that ships are suitable for the geographical or other limits or conditions of the service contemplated.

1.1.4 Loading conditions and any other preparations required to permit a ship with a class notation specifying some service limitation to undertake a sea-going voyage, either from port of building to service area or from one service area to another, are to be in accordance with arrangements agreed by LR prior to the voyage.

1.1.5 Any damage, defect, breakdown, grounding, serious deficiency, detention or, arrest or refusal of access, which could invalidate the conditions for which a class has been assigned, is to be reported to LR without delay.

1.1.6 The Rules are framed on the understanding that ships will be properly loaded and handled. They do not, unless stated or implied in the class notation, provide for special distributions or concentrations of loading. The Classification Committee may require additional strengthening to be fitted in any ship which, in their opinion, would otherwise be subjected to severe stresses due to particular features in the design, or where it is desired to make provision for exceptional loaded or ballast conditions. In such cases, particulars are to be submitted for consideration.

1.1.7 When longitudinal strength calculations have been required, loading guidance information is supplied to the Master by means of a Loading Manual and in addition, when required, by means of a loading instrument.

1.1.8 The Rules are framed on the understanding that ships will not be operated in environmental conditions more severe than those agreed for the design basis and approval, without the prior agreement of LR.

1.1.9 The Classification Committee requires that ships comply with all requirements of the National Administration and all applicable mandatory international IMO and ILO Conventions and Codes (including Amendments thereto), including the following:

The Classification Committee requires the applicable Convention and Code Certificates to be issued by authorities as follows:

  • Cargo Ship Radio Certificates, Safety Management Certificates, International Ship Security Certificates and Maritime Labour Certificates, if required, must have been issued by a recognised organisation authorised by the National Administration with which the ship is registered.
  • all other mandatory statutory certificates must have been issued by LR or by a National Administration or by an IACS Member when so authorised by the National Administration with which the ship is registered.

In the case of dual-classed ships, Convention Certificates may be issued by the other Classification Society with which the ship is classed, provided this is recognised in a formal Dual Class Agreement with LR and provided the other Classification Society is also authorised by the National Administration.

In the event of a National Administration withdrawing any ship’s Convention Certificate (referred to in this Section), then the Classification Committee may suspend the ship’s class. If a ship is removed from the National Administration’s Registry for the non-compliance with the Conventions or Classification Requirements referred to herein, then the Classification Committee will suspend the ship’s class. In the event of ISM Code - International Management Code and Revised Guidelines on Implementation of the ISM Code certification being withdrawn from a ship or Operator, then the Classification Committee will suspend the ship’s class.

1.1.10 When an onboard computer system having longitudinal strength computation capability is required by the Rules and is provided on a new ship, or newly installed on an existing ship, then the system is to be certified in respect of longitudinal strength in accordance with LR's document entitled Approval of Longitudinal Strength and Stability Calculation Programs, see also Pt 3, Ch 4, 8 Loading guidance information

1.1.11 Where an onboard computer system having stability computation capability is provided on a new ship, then the system is to be certified in respect of stability aspects in accordance with LR's document entitled, Approval of Longitudinal Strength and Stability Calculation Programs. When provided, an onboard computer system having stability computation capability is to carry out the calculations and checks necessary to assess compliance with all the stability requirements applicable to the ship on which it is installed.

1.1.12 Where a ship has been detained by Port State Control the Owner is to advise LR immediately in order to arrange the attendance of a Surveyor.

1.1.13 Where an onboard computer system having container securing computation capability, which is required by the Rules, is provided on a new container ship, or newly installed on an existing container ship, then the system is to be certified in respect of container securing in accordance with LR’s document entitled Approval of Container Securing Calculation Programs. See also Pt 3, Ch 4, 8 Loading guidance information.

1.2 Advisory services

1.2.1 The Rules do not cover certain technical characteristics, such as stability, trim, hull vibration, etc., but advice may be given on such matters without any assumption of responsibility for such advice.


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