Section 12 RAS equipment
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Naval Ships, January 2023 - Volume 3 Additional Class Notations - Part 1 Ship Type Capability - Chapter 5 Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Systems - Section 12 RAS equipment

Section 12 RAS equipment

Parent topic: Chapter 5 Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Systems

12.1 General

12.1.1 The types of transfer that the ship is required to undertake are to be specified by the Owner and the selection of equipment is to be agreed between the designer and Owner.

12.1.2 It is the responsibility of the Builder to demonstrate the equipment is designed, manufactured, installed and tested in accordance with the applicable Rule requirements.

12.1.3 The selection of equipment is to address compatibility to provide for the correct rigging of equipment (blocks, shackle, etc) for the loads imposed, e.g. it should not be possible to use a light jackstay shackle with a heavy jackstay rig.

12.2 Emergency breakaway

12.2.1 All RAS equipment and facilities are to be designed to permit the application of emergency breakaway procedures that should normally be complete within one minute of the commencement of initiation. Use may be made of quick release couplings and/or breakable couplings. Attention is to be given to the attachment of wires and ropes to winch drums and the selection of emergency breakaway equipment (wire cutters, axes, etc.).

12.3 Lifting devices

12.3.1 Winches are to incorporate safety features that permit safe RAS operations and cater for the unique loading conditions that may arise during RAS operations. The following features are to be considered:

  1. Service brake that permits quick and efficient engagement and disengagement by both automatic and manual means.

  2. Long-term brake that permits long term locking of the winch drum having manual engagement and disengagement only.

  3. An overload facility that prevents the wire/rope being overstressed during RAS operations (e.g. when ships move or roll apart).

  4. Spooling system that ensures proper spooling of the wire onto the drum.

  5. Anti-slack device that maintains tension in the wire when the winch is operating under no load.

12.3.2 Cranes, derricks and booms for RAS operations are to comply with LR’s Code for Lifting Appliances in a Marine Environment.

12.4 Hoses and fittings

12.4.1 Hoses for transferring liquids are to be in accordance with standards applicable to the intended application.

12.4.2 Where probe fuelling systems are part of the design, the following features are to be incorporated:

  1. Automatic latching mechanism with sleeve valve that opens on proper engagement and automatically closes on disengagement.

  2. Disengagement on application of a specified load.

  3. Swivel arm that keeps probe receiver aligned with the spanwire.

  4. Manual release lever.

  5. Quick release hook.

  6. Indication of incorrect probe engagement.

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