Section 5 Special Survey - General - Hull requirements

5.1.1 The survey is to be of sufficient extent to ensure that the hull and related piping are in satisfactory condition and are fit for the intended purpose for the new period of class of five years to be assigned, subject to proper maintenance and operation and to periodical surveys being carried out as required by the Regulations.

5.1.2 The requirements of Pt 1, Ch 3, 2 Annual Surveys - Hull and machinery requirements are to be complied with as applicable for all ships.

5.1.3  Additional requirements for general dry cargo ships are given in this Section; dry bulk cargo ships bulk carriers in Pt 1, Ch 3, 6 Special Survey - Bulk carriers - Hull requirements; oil tankers (including ore/oil ships and ore/bulk/oil ships) in Pt 1, Ch 3, 7 Special Survey - Oil tankers (including ore/oil ships and ore/bulk/oil ships) - Hull requirements; chemical tankers in Pt 1, Ch 3, 8 Special Survey - Chemical Tankers - Hull requirements; ships for liquefied gases in Pt 1, Ch 3, 9 Ships for liquefied gases, as applicable, gases or other low flashpoint fuels in Pt 1, Ch 3, 23 Fuel installations using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels, as applicable.

5.1.4 A Bottom Survey in accordance with the requirements of Pt 1, Ch 3, 4 Bottom Surveys – In Dry-Dock and In-Water - Hull and machinery requirements is to be carried out as part of the Special Survey.

5.1.5 During the Bottom Survey, for general dry cargo ships, oil tankers (including ore/oil ships and ore/bulk/oil ships), chemical tankers and bulk carriers, the overall and close-up surveys and thickness measurements, as applicable, of the lower portions of the cargo spaces and ballast tanks are to be carried out as required, if not already surveyed.

5.1.6 For ships assigned the notation ‘laid-up’, an Underwater Examination (UWE) and general examination of hull and machinery is to be carried out in lieu of the normal Special Survey requirements.

5.1.7 For roll on-roll off ships (i.e. those fitted with a loading ramp which enables wheeled vehicles to be rolled on and rolled off the ship), in addition to the requirements of this Section, the requirements of Pt 1, Ch 3, 22 Bow, inner, side shell and stern doors on Ro-Ro ships are to be complied with, as applicable.

5.2.1 The ship is to be prepared for Overall Survey in accordance with the requirements of Table 3.5.1 Survey preparation. The preparation should be of sufficient extent to facilitate an examination to ascertain any significant corrosion, deformation, fractures, damages and other structural deterioration.

5.3.1 All spaces within the hull and superstructure are to be examined unless specified otherwise by this Section.

5.3.2 At Special Survey III and subsequent special surveys, structural downflooding ducts and structural ventilation ducts are to be internally examined.

5.3.3 The requirements for tank internal examination are given in Table 3.5.2 Tank internal examination requirements.

5.3.4 For oil tankers (including ore/oil and ore/bulk/oil ships) and chemical tankers, the condition of the corrosion prevention system, where provided, is to be examined in cargo tanks and salt-water ballast tanks. When considered necessary by the Surveyor, thickness measurements are to be carried out. The condition of the corrosion prevention system identified during the Survey may result in the salt-water ballast tanks being subject to further examination at Annual Surveys, in accordance with Pt 1, Ch 3, 2.2 Annual Surveys 2.2.32.

5.3.5 For those ships not listed in Pt 1, Ch 3, 5.3 Examination and testing 5.3.4, the condition of the corrosion prevention system, where provided, in salt-water ballast tanks is to be examined. When considered necessary by the Surveyor, thickness measurements are to be carried out. The condition of the corrosion prevention system identified during the Survey may result in the salt-water ballast tanks being subject to further examination at Annual Surveys, in accordance with Pt 1, Ch 3, 2.2 Annual Surveys 2.2.32. For double bottom ballast tanks, the examination at Annual Surveys will be at the discretion of the Surveyor.

5.3.6 Double bottom, deep, ballast, peak and other tanks, including cargo holds assigned also for the carriage of salt water ballast, are to be tested with a head of liquid to the top of air pipes or to near the top of hatches for ballast/cargo holds. Boundaries of fuel oil, lubricating oil and fresh water tanks are to be tested with a head of liquid to the highest point that liquid will rise to under service conditions. Tank testing of fuel oil, lubricating oil and fresh water tanks may be specially considered based upon a satisfactory external examination of the tank boundaries, and a confirmation from the Master stating that the pressure testing has been carried out according to the requirements with satisfactory results. Surveyors may extend the testing as deemed necessary.
For oil tankers (including ore/oil and ore/bulk/oil ships) and chemical tankers, the minimum requirements for cargo tank testing are to be in accordance with Sections Pt 1, Ch 3, 7.5 Testing and Pt 1, Ch 3, 8.5 Testing, as applicable.

5.3.7 Where repairs are effected to the shell plating or bulkheads, any tanks in way are to be tested to the Surveyor's satisfaction on completion of these repairs.

5.3.8 On ship-borne barges, in lieu of water testing, tanks and cofferdams may be air tested.

5.3.9 In cases where the inner surface of the bottom plating is covered with cement, asphalt, or other composition, the removal of this covering may be dispensed with, provided that it is inspected, tested by beating or chipping, and found sound and adhering satisfactorily to the steel.

5.3.10 All decks, casings and superstructures are to be examined.

5.3.11 Wood decks or sheathing are to be examined. If decay or rot is found or the wood is excessively worn, the wood is to be renewed. When a wood deck, laid on stringers and ties, has worn by 15 mm or more, it is to be renewed. Attention is to be given to the condition of the plating under wood decks, sheathing or other deck covering. If it is found that such coverings are broken, or are not adhering closely to the plating, sections are to be removed as necessary to ascertain the condition of the plating, see also Pt 1, Ch 3, 1.2 Surveys for damage or alterations 1.2.1.

5.3.12 Mechanically-operated hatch covers are to be tested to confirm satisfactory operation including stowage; and securing in open condition; proper fit and efficiency of sealing in closed conditions; operational testing of hydraulic and power components, wires, chains and link drives. The effectiveness of sealing arrangements of all hatch covers is to be checked by carrying out hose testing or equivalent.

5.3.13 Rigs used for propulsion using wind force, associated structure and equipment, where fitted, are to be examined, see Table 3.5.1 Survey preparation. The examination may be undertaken by a Surveyor and/or by a firm approved by LR.

5.3.14 The masts and standing rigging are to be examined.

5.3.15 The anchors are to be examined. If the chain cables are ranged they are to be examined. If any length of chain cable is found to be reduced in mean diameter at its most worn part by 12 per cent or more from its nominal diameter, it is to be renewed. The windlass is to be examined. For equipment forming part of a positional mooring system, see Pt 1, Ch 3, 5.3 Examination and testing 5.3.18.

5.3.16 The chain cables are to be ranged and examined on all ships over five years old.

5.3.17 The Surveyor is to be satisfied that there are suitable mooring ropes when these are a Rule requirement.

5.3.18 On ships fitted with positional mooring equipment in accordance with Pt 7, Ch 8 Positional Mooring and Thruster-Assisted Positional Mooring Systems, or wire rope anchor cables in accordance with Pt 3, Ch 13, 7 Equipment, the anchors are to be cleaned and examined. Wire rope anchor cables are to be examined. If cables are found to contain broken, badly corroded or birdcaging wires they are to be renewed. Chain cables are to be ranged and examined. If any length of chain cable is found to be reduced in mean diameter at its most worn part by 12 per cent or more from its nominal diameter it is to be renewed. The windlass(es) or winches are to be examined.

5.3.19 The hand pumps, suctions, watertight doors, air and sounding pipes are to be examined. In addition, the Surveyor is to internally and externally examine air pipe heads in accordance with the requirements of Table 3.5.7 Air pipe head internal examination requirements (applicable for automatic air pipe heads installed on exposed decks of all ships except passenger ships).

5.3.20 All watertight cable transits are to be examined to confirm their satisfactory condition by an LR Surveyor or by a firm approved as a service supplier in accordance with LR’s Procedures for Approval of Service Suppliers. Where applicable, the electrical cables schedule of watertight penetrations (e.g. cable transit seal systems register) is to be reviewed to confirm it is being maintained, see Pt 3, Ch 1, 5.3 Plans to be supplied to the ship 5.3.1 and Pt 6, Ch 2, 11.11 Penetration of bulkheads and decks by cables.

5.3.21 The Surveyor is to be satisfied as to the efficient condition of the following:

1. For ships to which Pt 6, Ch 4 Fire Protection, Detection and Extinction Requirements applies, means of escape from crew and passenger spaces, and spaces in which crew are normally employed.

2. Helm indicator, protection of aft steering wheel and gear.

5.3.22 Where the special features notation CCSA (certified container securing arrangements) is assigned, the Surveyor is to be satisfied as to the efficient condition of:

1. Cell guide structure including the connections between vertical cell guides and cross ties.

2. Cell guide entry devices.

3. Portable frameworks or other forms of structural restraints.

4. Fittings attached to the ship structure, with special attention to any signs of leakage in way of tanks or deck and shell plating.

5. End connecting pieces for lashings, twist locks and other loose fittings, which are to be examined and verified with the Register, see Pt 3, Ch 14, 10 Surveys.

6. Lashings, rods, wire ropes, and chains together with turn buckles and other tightening devices are to be examined and verified with the Register as far as necessary and practicable in order to be satisfied as to their general condition, see Pt 3, Ch 14, 10 Surveys.

7. Lashing wire ropes, which are to be renewed where more than five per cent of the wires are broken, worn or corroded in any length of 10 diameters of the wire rope.

8. Chains, which are to be renewed where worn or damaged.

Where renewals are required, the new item is to be of approved type and manufacture. Where test certificates are not available, the item is to be tested in accordance with Pt 3, Ch 14, 3 Loose container securing fittings, materials and testing.

5.3.23 It is the responsibility of the onboard personnel to examine, maintain or renew cargo securing devices and maintain the appropriate certification. Records of inspections, maintenance and renewals, as well as the procedures for accepting, maintaining and repairing or rejecting cargo securing devices are to be kept onboard and made available to the attending Surveyor on request.

5.3.24 All bilge and ballast piping systems are to be examined and operationally tested to working pressure, to the satisfaction of the Surveyor, to ensure that tightness and condition remain satisfactory.

5.3.25 Ship side valves (i.e. sea connections, scuppers and sanitary discharges) are to be tested once reassembled.

5.3.26 For engine room and machinery space fire dampers the following is applicable:

1. At Special Survey I, Surveyors are to select and internally examine one engine room fire damper and one machinery space fire damper. Where considered necessary by the Surveyor as a result of the examinations, the extent of examinations may be extended to include other fire dampers.

2. At each subsequent Special Survey, all engine room and machinery space fire dampers are to be internally examined by the Surveyor.

5.3.27 In refrigerated cargo spaces, the condition of the coating and structure behind the insulation is to be examined at representative locations. Surveyors may limit the examination to the verification that the protective coating remains effective and that there are no visible structural defects. Where POOR coating condition is found, or structural defects are identified, then sufficient insulation is to be removed in each of the chambers in order to assess the condition of the remaining structure, as deemed necessary by the Surveyor. Additionally, where indents, scratches or other defects are identified during the survey of the shell plating from the outside, insulations in way are to be removed to enable further examination of the plating and adjacent frames, as required by the Surveyor.

5.4.1 The following requirements are applicable to general dry cargo ships.

5.4.2 All cargo holds, salt-water ballast tanks including double bottom tanks, pipe tunnels, cofferdams and void spaces bounding cargo holds, decks and outer hull are to be examined, and this is to be supplemented by Close-up Survey, thickness measurement and testing as deemed necessary, to ensure that the structural integrity remains effective.

5.4.3 The examination is to be sufficient to ascertain substantial corrosion, significant deformation, fractures, damages or other structural deterioration and, if deemed necessary by the Surveyor, suitable non-destructive examination may be required.

5.4.4 All piping systems within the tanks and spaces indicated in Pt 1, Ch 3, 5.4 Overall Survey 5.4.2 are to be examined and operationally tested to working pressure to the satisfaction of the Surveyor, to ensure that conditions remain satisfactory.

5.4.5 Where the salt-water ballast tanks have been converted to void spaces, the survey extent is to be specially considered based upon salt-water ballast tank requirements.

5.4.6 For single hold general dry cargo ships, other than bulk carriers, fitted with water level detectors in the cargo hold, an examination and a test of the water ingress detection system and alarms are to be carried out.

5.5.1 The following requirements are applicable to general dry cargo ships.

5.5.2 The minimum requirements for Close-up Survey are given in Table 3.5.4 Minimum requirements for Close-up Survey - General dry cargo ships. The Close-up Survey may be extended, as deemed necessary by the Surveyor, after taking into account the maintenance of the spaces under survey, the condition of the corrosion prevention system and where spaces have structural arrangements or details which have suffered defects in similar spaces or on similar ships according to available information.

5.5.3 For areas in tanks and cargo holds where coatings are found to be in GOOD condition, as defined in Pt 1, Ch 3, 1.5 Definitions, the extent of Close-up Surveys may be specially considered.

5.6.1 The general minimum requirements for thickness measurement are given in Table 3.5.3 Minimum requirements for thickness measurements - General. For general dry cargo ships, the minimum requirements for thickness measurement are given in Table 3.5.5 Minimum requirements for Thickness measurement - General dry cargo ships. The Surveyor may extend the thickness measurements as deemed necessary.

5.6.2 Thickness measurements may be carried out in association with the fourth Annual Survey.

5.6.3 In areas where substantial corrosion, as defined in Pt 1, Ch 3, 1.5 Definitions, has been noted, then additional measurements are to be carried out, as applicable, in accordance with Table 3.5.6 Thickness measurement - Additional requirements in way of structure identified with substantial corrosion to determine the full extent of the corrosion pattern. The survey will not be considered complete until these additional thickness measurements have been carried out.

5.6.4 Where substantial corrosion is identified and not rectified, this will be subject to examination and thickness measurement at Annual and Intermediate Surveys.

5.6.5 Where considered necessary by the Surveyor, thickness measurements are to be carried out in way of critical areas. These include areas considered prone to rapid wastage.

5.6.6 Where required by LR, a check of the buckling capacity of the upper deck is to be carried out for tankers having a length greater than 90 m.

5.6.7 Steel evaluation of hatch covers on exposed decks and hatch coamings and closing arrangements of cargo holds on ships with contract for construction on or after 1 July 2012 is to be in accordance with IACS UR S21A. Further information is provided in the LR document Thickness Measurement and Close-Up Survey Guidance.

Steel renewal is required where the gauged thickness is less than t_net + 0,5 mm. For definition of t_net, see Pt 4, Ch 7, 12.1 General 12.1.2.

Where the gauged thickness is within the range t_net + 0,5 mm and t_net + 1,0 mm, a coating (applied in accordance with coating manufacturer’s requirements) or annual gauging may be adopted as an alternative to steel renewal.