Section 3 Conditions of Class

3.1.1 A Condition of Class is a recommendation made in the case of a defective or damaged classification survey item which is not so serious as to jeopardise class, but which is sufficiently serious to require rectification within a prescribed period in order to maintain class. See Vol 1, Pt 1, Ch 2, 4.4 Damages, repairs and alterations of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Naval Ships (hereinafter referred to as the Rules for Naval Ships). In general, Conditions of Class should not be agreed to where proper facilities for full and permanent repairs are available.

3.1.2 Conditions of Class can be divided into two categories:

1. Defects or damages of such a nature that remedial action within a prescribed period of time is required, e.g. a direct voyage between the port of survey and a repair port.

2. Defects of a less serious nature than above, see Ch 15, 3.1 General 3.1.12.

3.1.3 If the due date of the next Docking Survey is considerably in advance of the date of the Special Survey, where possible, recommendations for deferment should be made up to the due date of the next Docking Survey. However, the first possible and practicable date for dealing with repairs should always be recommended.

3.1.4 Conditions of Class should not have a due date extending more than 12 months from the date of survey, and should, whenever technically justifiable, be harmonized with the next Periodical Classification Survey.

3.1.5 The technical implications of any deficiency on the operational needs of the ship must be considered by the Surveyor in liaison with the Owner/Naval Authority before a decision is made with regard to corrective action.

3.1.6 Deferment of damage repairs or surveys after grounding, which necessitate docking, are at the discretion of the Surveyor, but the maximum deferment in the first instance should not be beyond the due date of the Special Survey or Docking Survey, whichever is earliest and within the constraints of Ch 15, 3.1 General 3.1.4.

3.1.7 It is highly desirable that all Conditions of Class be satisfactorily dealt with at the Special Survey. For this reason, Surveyors should not recommend the imposition or continuance of Conditions of Class beyond these due dates without giving the matter their fullest consideration. It should also be noted that, after a satisfactory period of service, Conditions of Class may sometimes be recommended for deletion or, if thought fit, the record in question may be transferred to the Memoranda.

3.1.8 The survey report must clearly indicate that, in the opinion of the Surveyor, the item in question will not affect the efficiency of the hull structure during any recommended period of postponement.

3.1.9 All Conditions of Class should be quoted in Interim Certificates and in the appropriate section of the Survey Report. It is important that the Owner or his representative is made fully aware of any intention to impose a Condition of Class and that an Interim Certificate is placed on board the ship for the information of Surveyors attending subsequently. If necessary, a copy of the survey report should be forwarded to the Surveyors at the port at which it is proposed to deal with the Condition of Class.

3.1.10 Reference should be made in all survey reports to due Conditions of Class and the Surveyor should state what action has been taken with regard to them. It is important that Conditions of Class which are becoming due, which are due or which are overdue at the time of survey, be dealt with to the satisfaction of the Surveyor. In some cases, the only available course of action may be to ascertain the continuing efficiency of the item to which the condition applies with a view to further extending the limit already imposed.

3.1.11 The situation can arise in which a complete Special Survey has been held, i.e. all surveyable items for a ship of that age have been dealt with, but the Owner has been unable to complete all the required repairs or has been able to carry out only part/temporary repairs for a limited period. In these circumstances, damages and defects that would normally constitute a Condition of Class may be deferred until after the examination and testing required by the Special Survey has been completed, provided that there is a sound technical justification for the postponement. If the Owner has good reasons for postponing the repair and the Surveyor agrees on technical grounds, then the assignment of SS may be recommended.

3.1.12 Hull damages may be found which are intermediate between Conditions of Class and Memoranda items, i.e. with only minor damage to a limited number of stiffening members. These are more difficult to define, for much depends on the location of the damage and its extent, as well as on its severity; the age, size, type and general condition of the ship are also relevant. In assessing the importance of these damages, the Surveyor should be guided by the following considerations:

1. The internal distortion should not be great and should not compromise the structural efficiency of the hull girder or of the local structure.

2. The location of the damage must be taken into account. Deflection of bottom plating between floors in the midship half body, for example, has a detrimental effect on the strength of the hull girder and similarly, damage to the sheerstrake or stringer within the midship half length may also influence the strength of the hull girder.

3. Damage of the bottom forward due to pounding and ice damage may also come within this category.

4. Repair of damage of the above nature cannot be left to the Owner’s convenience in the first instance and should be recommended as a Condition of Class.

5. After a suitable period, say over one year, the Surveyors may recommend that the Condition of Class be deleted if no deterioration is observed, or additional intermediate stiffening can be fitted to support the minor damage to the limited number of stiffening members. The damage will then be noted in the Memoranda and permanent repairs left to the Owner’s convenience.