Section 10 Dredgers, hopper dredgers, sand carriers, hopper barges and reclamation craft

10.1.1 The requirements of this Section are to be complied with, as applicable, in addition to the survey requirements of Pt 1, Ch 3, 2 Annual Surveys - Hull and machinery requirements, Pt 1, Ch 3, 3 Intermediate Surveys - Hull and machinery requirements, Pt 1, Ch 3, 4 Bottom Surveys – In Dry-Dock and In-Water - Hull and machinery requirements and Pt 1, Ch 3, 5 Special Survey - General - Hull requirements. Where surveys are required on dredging or hopper equipment such as gantries, bottom doors and their operating gear, positioning spuds and suction pipe attachments or split hull devices such as actuating and locking devices, these will be limited to the extent considered necessary by the Surveyor to satisfy himself that their condition or malfunction will not adversely affect the ship's structure.

10.1.2 Where applicable, the Bottom Survey is to include the examination of hopper doors and their fittings, and of hopper valves.

10.2.1 On ships up to 10 years old (Special Survey I and II):

1. Hoppers are to be cleared and cleaned as necessary and examined.

2. Where applicable, hopper doors or valves are to be opened and closed, so far as practicable, but keel blocks need not normally be moved specially to permit this to be done.

3. The integrity of hopper overflows and diluting water inlet and distribution structures is to be confirmed. Weir valves and sluices are to be tested to ensure proper operation, particular attention being paid to the lower weir when weirs are fitted at more than one level.

4. Attention is to be given to shell plating in way of hopper overflows.

5. The attachment to the ship's structure of all main items of dredging equipment, including gantries, `A' frames, spud controlgear supports and items provided to facilitate separation of split hulls including hinge pin gudgeons, anchorages for rams and locking devices, is to be carefully examined to ensure that no fracture is present.

10.2.2 On ships 15 years old and over (Special Survey III and subsequent Special Surveys):

1. Attention is to be given by the Surveyor to the structure in way of dredging pumps.

2. Hopper doors, valves and items provided to facilitate separation of split hulls are to be checked for proper operation, and their hinges, controlgear and other fittings are to be examined for wear or distortion. All seals and weardown strips are to be replaced if necessary, but a watertight seal is not normally required. Attention is to be paid to areas likely to be suffering from excessive erosion.

3. Those items of dredging gear and equipment whose efficiency is not part of classification but whose failure or malfunctioning is, nevertheless, likely to adversely affect the ship's structure, are to be examined to ensure that the structural integrity of the ship is maintained.