General
The determination of CRS requirements for class entry depends on the fact whether the vessel has previously been classed with a classification society being IACS member or not.
In cases when CRS is requested by an Owner to accept an existing vessel already classed by IACS member class society procedure for transfer of class as stipulated either in IACS PR1A, Procedure for transfer of class, or alternatively in procedure IACS PR1B, Procedure for Adding, Maintaining or Withdrawing Double or Dual Class should be followed.
In cases when CRS is requested by an Owner to accept an existing vessel which is not classed by IACS member class society and for which procedure IACS PR1A or PR1B does not apply procedure for transfer of class as stipulated in IACS PR1D, Procedure for Class Entry of Ships not subject to PR1A or PR1B should be followed.
In most cases transfer to CRS class can be combined with normal survey requirements, minimising costs to the owner and disruption to operations.
Transfer of Class Procedure
In general, this procedure can be divided into three phases:
Submission of the application form
Submission of technical documentation
Carrying out of the class (and statutory surveys) and issuing of the certificates.
Depending on the type of transfer of class appropriate TOC Request form is to be filled-in and submitted to CRS
1. Submission of the application form
An agreement called "Transfer of Class Agreement (TOC)", existing between IACS members, enables the current status of the vessel assigned by the previous classification society to be obtained by CRS directly from that society. TOC requirements are comprising the following ceases also: dual classification of the vessel with other IACS class society, double classification, transfer of class on ship delivery.
If all surveys and pertinent recommendations are found up-to-date, it should only be necessary to carry out a survey in accordance with the TOC.
It is to be noted that in cases of transfer of class from non IACS member class society specific requirements, different from below stated, are to be applied.
Application for Initial class entry survey with CRS should be made by the interested party by submitting form "REQUEST FOR SURVEY FOR CLASSIFICATION" , dully filled-in, signed and stamped by the applicant.
Form dully filled-in, signed and stamped should be sent to CRS Head Office initially by fax as follows:
To: CROATIAN REGISTER OF SHIPPING, Split, CROATIA
Attn. to: Coordination division
Fax. No.: + 385 (0)21 358 159
By receiving this fax from the applicant the process is immediately initiated.
Original of the form should be mailed afterwards by the applicant to the following address, also:
CROATIAN REGISTER OF SHIPPING
21000 SPLIT
Marasovica 67
CROATIA
Coordination division
2. Submission of technical documentation
IACS PR1A / IACS PR1B
The following technical documentation should be submitted:
≈ Hull & hull equipment
General arrangement plan
Capacity plan
Hydrostatic curves
Loading Manual, where required
Stability book and damage stability calculation, where required
≈ Steel plans
Midship section
Scantling plan
Decks
Shell expansion
Transverse bulkheads
Rudder and rudder stock
Hatch covers
For CSR vessels, plans showing, for each structural element, both as-built and renewal thicknesses and any thickness for “voluntary addition”
≈ Machinery plans
Machinery arrangement
Intermediate, thrust and screw shafts
Propeller
Main engines, propulsion gears and clutch systems (or Manufacturer make, model and rating information)
For steam turbine vessels, main boilers, superheaters and economisers (or Manufacturer make, model and rating information) and steam piping
Bilge and ballast piping diagram
Wiring diagram
Steering gear systems piping and arrangements and steering gear manufacturer make and model information
≈ Additional plans for ships with ice class notation
Plans for flexible couplings and/or torque limiting shafting devices in the propulsion line shafting (or Manufacturer make, model and rating information)
≈ Torsional vibration calculations
Torsional vibration calculations, for vessels than two years old only
≈ Additional plans for oil tankers
Pumping arrangement at the forward and after ends and drainage of cofferdams and pump rooms
General arrangements of cargo piping in tanks and on decks
≈ Additional plans for ships with unattended machinery space
Instrument and alarm list
Fire alarm system
List of automatic safety functions
Function testing plan
≈ Additional documents required for approval of alternative design and arrangements
Document(s) of approval of alternative design and arrangements
Alternative technical data may be accepted in lieu of specific plans not being available at the time of the transfer.
IACS PR1D
The following technical documentation should be submitted:
≈ Main plans
General arrangement plan
Capacity plan
Hydrostatic curves
Loading Manual, where required
Stability book and damage stability calculation, where required
≈ Steel plans
Midship section
Scantling plan
Decks
Shell expansion
Transverse bulkheads
Rudder and rudder stock
Hatch covers
Stern frame
≈ Machinery plans (as applicable)
Machinery arrangement
Shafting arrangement, i.e. intermediate, thrust and screw shafts
Propeller
Main engines, propulsion gears and clutch systems (or Manufacturer make, model and rating information)
For steam turbine vessels, main boilers, superheaters and economisers (or Manufacturer make, model and rating information) and steam piping
Bilge and ballast piping diagram
Wiring diagram
Steering gear systems piping and arrangements and steering gear Manufacturer make and model information
≈ Torsional vibration calculations
Torsional vibration calculations, for vessels than two years old only
≈ Additional requirements for vessels with ice class notation
Plans for flexible couplings and/or torque limiting shafting devices in the propulsion line shafting (or manufacturer make, model and rating information)
≈ Additional plans required for oil tankers
Pumping arrangement at the forward and after ends and drainage of cofferdams and pump rooms
≈ Additional plans required for unattended machinery space notation
Instrument and alarm list
Fire alarm system
List of automatic safety functions (e.g. slowdowns, shutdowns, etc.)
Function testing plan
≈ Additional plans and documents may be required for appraisal
Additional information may be necessary according to Flag State requirements
Alternative technical data may be accepted in lieu of specific items of the listed documentation not being available at the time of the transfer
3. Carrying out of the class surveys and issuing of the certificates
Class entry surveys IACS PR1A
Notwithstanding the records indicating that all surveys are up-to-date, a class entry survey, the minimum extent of which is to be based on the age of the vessel and the losing Society’s class status as follows:
1. Hull Class Entry Survey:
i) for vessels of age less than 5 years the survey is to take the form of an Annual Survey;
ii) for vessels between 5 and 10 years of age the survey is to include an Annual Survey and inspection of a representative number of ballast spaces;
iii) for vessels of 10 years of age and above but less than 20 years of age, the survey is to include an Annual Survey and inspection of a representative number of ballast spaces and cargo spaces. For gas carriers, in lieu of internal inspection of cargo spaces, the following applies:
- Inspection of representative spaces surrounding cargo tanks, including external inspection of the tank and its supporting systems as far as possible;
- Review of cargo log books and operational records to verify the correct functioning of the cargo containment system.
iv) for vessels subject to UR Z10.1, Z10.2, Z10.3, Z10.4 or Z10.5 which are 15 years of age and above but less than 20 years of age, the survey is to have the scope of a Special Survey or an Intermediate Survey, whichever is due next;
v) for all vessels, which are 20 years of age and above, the survey is to have the scope of a Special Survey;
vi) in lieu of the requirements in items i) through v), the following apply for site specific purpose-built Floating Production and/or Storage Vessels:
- for vessels of age less than 5 years, the survey is to have the scope of an Annual Survey;
- for vessels of age between 5 and 10 years, the survey is to include an Annual Survey and inspection of twenty percent of ballast spaces;
- for vessels of age between 10 and 20 years, the survey is to include an Annual Survey and inspection of twenty percent of ballast spaces and twenty percent of cargo spaces.
- for vessels over 20 years of age, the survey is to have the scope of a Special Survey.
vii) for site specific Floating Production and/or Storage Vessels which have been converted from other vessels, the survey is to take the form of an Annual Survey and also include inspection of twenty percent of ballast spaces and twenty percent of cargo spaces until 20 years have elapsed since conversion. After 20 years the survey is to have the scope of a Special Survey.
viii) in the context of applying items iv) and v) above, if a dry-docking of the vessel is not due at the time of transfer, consideration can be given to carrying out an underwater examination in lieu of dry-docking.
ix) in the context of applying items iv) and v), as applicable, the anchors and anchor chain cables ranging and gauging for vessels over 15 years of age is not required to be carried out as part of the class entry survey unless the class entry survey is being credited as a periodical survey for maintenance of class. If the class entry survey is to be credited as a periodical survey for maintenance of class, consideration may be given by CRS to the acceptance of the anchors and anchor chain cables ranging and gauging carried out by the losing society provided they were carried out within the applicable survey window of the periodical survey in question.
x) in the context of applying items i) to viii) above, as applicable,
- if the class entry survey is to be credited as a periodical survey for maintenance of class consideration may be given by CRS to the acceptance of thickness measurements taken by the losing society provided they were carried out within the applicable survey window of the periodical survey in question.
- if the class entry survey is not to be credited as a periodical survey for maintenance of class, consideration may be given by CRS to the acceptance of thickness measurements taken by the losing society provided they were carried out within 15 months prior to completion of class entry survey when it is in the scope of a Special Survey, within 18 months prior to completion of class entry survey when it is in the scope of an Intermediate Survey.
In both cases, the thickness measurements are to be reviewed by CRS for compliance with the applicable survey requirements, and confirmatory gauging are to be taken to the satisfaction of CRS.
xi) In the context of applying iii) to viii) above, as applicable, tank testing for vessels over 15 years of age is not required to be carried out as part of the class entry survey unless the class entry survey is being credited as a periodical survey for maintenance of class. If the class entry survey is to be credited as a periodical survey for maintenance of class, consideration may be given by CRS to the acceptance of the tank testing carried out by the losing society provided they were carried out within the applicable survey window of the periodical survey in question.
xii) In the context of applying i) to viii) above, as applicable, compliance with IACS Unified Requirements that require compliance at the forthcoming due periodical surveys (such as S26 and S27) are not required to be carried out/completed as part of the class entry survey unless the class entry survey is credited as a periodical survey for maintenance of class.
2. Machinery Class Entry Survey, a general examination of all essential machinery is to be held and is to include:
i) examination under working conditions of oil fuel burning equipment of boiler, economisers and steam/steam generators. The adjustment of safety valves of this equipment is to be verified by checking the records on the vessel;
ii) all pressure vessels;
iii) insulation resistance, generator circuit breakers, preference tripping relays and generator prime mover governors are to be tested and paralleling and load sharing to be proved;
iv) in all cases, navigating lights and indicators are to be examined and their working and alternative sources of power verified;
v) bilge pumps, emergency fire pumps and remote control for oil valves, oil fuel pumps, lubricating oil pumps and forced draught fans are to be examined under working conditions;
vi) recirculating and ice clearing arrangements, if any;
vii) the main and all auxiliary machinery necessary for operation of the vessel at sea together with essential controls and steering gear is to be tested under working conditions. Alternative means of steering are to be tested. A short sea trial is to be held at CRS’ discretion if the vessel has been laid up for a long period;
viii) initial start arrangements are to be verified;
ix) in the case of oil tankers, the cargo oil system and electrical installation in way of hazardous spaces are to be checked for compliance with CRS Rule requirements. Where intrinsically safe equipment is installed, CRS is to satisfy itself that a recognised authority has approved such equipment. The safety devices, alarms and essential instruments of the inert gas system are to be verified and the plant generally examined to ensure that it does not constitute a hazard to the vessel.
Class entry surveys IACS PR1D
A class entry survey is to be held, the minimum extent of which is to be based on the age and type of the vessel as follows:
1. Special survey of hull and machinery including thickness measurements
2. Dry docking survey
3. Tailshaft survey(s)
4. Boiler survey(s) and pressure vessel survey(s)
CRS may request further examinations, tests and measurements, including but not limited to material testing, non-destructive testing, hydraulic and hydrostatic tests and sea trial.
Where the vessel has, during any portion of the five years prior to the request for classification being received, been previously classed by CRS or IACS member class society then survey requirements may be specially considered but are not to be less than those required above for PR1A.
4. Carrying out of the statutory surveys and issuing of the certificates
For the purpose of issuing statutory certificates the following is to be noted:
1. If statutory certificates are issued directly by the Flag State Administration, these will remain valid on transfer of class, and the whole process will be limited to class matters only.
2. If statutory certificates were issued by the previous classification society, being IACS member, on behalf of the Flag State Administration, and are still valid, these certificates will be accepted by CRS.
3. Above stated is not applicable in those cases where a change of flag is involved, as specific instructions will be forwarded to the applicant by CRS Head Office. Additional surveys and a plan review may be required by the new Flag State Administration.
USEFUL TIPS
In no case the existing class of the vessel should be cancelled with the previous classification society, until confirmation of the acceptance of the vessel into CRS class is received from CRS Head Office.
The vessel is to be fully prepared for the survey (including necessary facilities) and sufficient time is to be ensured in order to enable CRS surveyors to perform the survey.
The best time to initiate the process for class change is when some, or all of class and statutory surveys are becoming due. By following this rule additional costs, deriving from unscheduled withdrawal of the ship from trading or similar will be automatically avoided.
Before starting the survey it is strongly recommended to sent copies of all existing class and statutory certificates, together with copies of exemption certificates, if any.
Try to complete and submit as soon as possible all required technical documentation, preferably before starting the survey.
To find out how we can help you with class entry requirements please contact directly CRS Head Office as follows:
CROATIAN REGISTER OF SHIPPING
21000 SPLIT
Marasovica 67
P.O.B. 187
CROATIA
Attn. to: Coordination division
Phone No.: + 385 (0)21 408 147
Fax. No.: + 385 (0)21 358 159
E-mail: tech.coord@crs.hr