CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES AS RO, LIMITATION AND STATUTORY SERVICES
CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY AS RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATION
Classification society is an independent organization which publishes its own classification rules including technical requirement, in relation to the design, construction and survey of the ship. It has the capacity to apply, maintain and update those rules and regulation with its own resources on a regular basis. Class is not controlled by and has no interest in ship owners, ship builders or other commercial aspect of repair and maintenance of ships.
SOLAS and other international convention permit the flag administration to delegate the inspection and survey of ships to a recognized organization. Classification societies play the role of recognized organization and play an role in implementation of national and international regulations.
LIMITATION;- While the authority to carry out statutory surveys and inspection on behalf of flag administration may be delegated to RO, the powers of enforcement of RO are limited. When required repairs or corrective actions are not carried out or a survey is not passed satisfactorily, RO's do not have the power to detain the ship. At the most RO can withdraw the statutory certificate or declare them invalid, and notify the ship's flag state or port state where vessel happens to be located for further action.
Also, ROs are not guarantors of safety of life at sea or seaworthiness of vessel because classification societies has no control over how a vessel is operated and maintained in between the periodic surveys which it conducts.
Acting as recognized organization, classification societies verify compliance with national/ international regulations adopted by a flag state. The RO cannot on its own interpret the regulation, nor without permission use professional judgement to accept equivalent solutions.
The specific roles of a RO are defined in contract with the flag state and flag state has the ultimate responsibility.
STATUTORY SERVICES:-
Through their extensive resources of manpower worldwide expertise and technology, the classification societies have the capability to undertake surveys, maintain records and conduct the technical review necessary to fulfill the requirement of various IMO convention and codes based on national standards imposed by individual flag states. Classification society undertakes statutory work on behalf of individual IMO member state.
Under the statutory services and activities, ROs may inspect and survey design, construction, equipment and technical part and operation of ship. The elements to be inspected or surveyed will depend on the specific requirement of the flag state. On successful completion of the pertinent survey, the classification society will issue statutory certificate and attest that the ship complies with the legal requirement of the flag state. If delegated by the administration, class may also carry out certification of the SMS according to ISM code.
Classification society is an independent organization which publishes its own classification rules including technical requirement, in relation to the design, construction and survey of the ship. It has the capacity to apply, maintain and update those rules and regulation with its own resources on a regular basis. Class is not controlled by and has no interest in ship owners, ship builders or other commercial aspect of repair and maintenance of ships.
SOLAS and other international convention permit the flag administration to delegate the inspection and survey of ships to a recognized organization. Classification societies play the role of recognized organization and play an role in implementation of national and international regulations.
LIMITATION;- While the authority to carry out statutory surveys and inspection on behalf of flag administration may be delegated to RO, the powers of enforcement of RO are limited. When required repairs or corrective actions are not carried out or a survey is not passed satisfactorily, RO's do not have the power to detain the ship. At the most RO can withdraw the statutory certificate or declare them invalid, and notify the ship's flag state or port state where vessel happens to be located for further action.
Also, ROs are not guarantors of safety of life at sea or seaworthiness of vessel because classification societies has no control over how a vessel is operated and maintained in between the periodic surveys which it conducts.
Acting as recognized organization, classification societies verify compliance with national/ international regulations adopted by a flag state. The RO cannot on its own interpret the regulation, nor without permission use professional judgement to accept equivalent solutions.
The specific roles of a RO are defined in contract with the flag state and flag state has the ultimate responsibility.
STATUTORY SERVICES:-
Through their extensive resources of manpower worldwide expertise and technology, the classification societies have the capability to undertake surveys, maintain records and conduct the technical review necessary to fulfill the requirement of various IMO convention and codes based on national standards imposed by individual flag states. Classification society undertakes statutory work on behalf of individual IMO member state.
Under the statutory services and activities, ROs may inspect and survey design, construction, equipment and technical part and operation of ship. The elements to be inspected or surveyed will depend on the specific requirement of the flag state. On successful completion of the pertinent survey, the classification society will issue statutory certificate and attest that the ship complies with the legal requirement of the flag state. If delegated by the administration, class may also carry out certification of the SMS according to ISM code.
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