Offshore Support Vessels: Classifi Cation, Certifi Cation Related Services
Offshore Support Vessels: Classifi Cation, Certifi Cation Related Services
Offshore Support Vessels: Classifi Cation, Certifi Cation Related Services
In order to meet the support demands of deepwater drilling and subsea operations, new generation
OSVs have become more technically-advanced. To keep pace with industry, in 2011, ABS developed the
Guide for Building and Classing Offshore Support Vessels (OSV Guide) with standards for the design and
construction of modern OSVs. ABS continuously reviews and updates its Rules and Guides to assist
industry in maintaining safe and efficient operations.
Specialized multipurpose designs carry out maintenance and repair on platforms, facilities as well as
subsea pipelines and equipment. OSVs designed for inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) are
equipped with large accommodation spaces, heavy lift cranes, helidecks and streamlined bow forms for
operation in harsh environments. ABS has been in a unique position to see the transformation in OSV
design capabilities as it classes approximately one-third of the worldwide fleet.
ABS has also applied its leading edge human factors and ergonomics research to OSVs. This has lead to
the establishment of habitability standards addressing vessel accommodations and workspaces for noise,
vibration, lighting and other comfort factors. Research shows that incorporating these standards has a
positive impact on the safety, productivity, morale and overall well-being of crews.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote the security of life and property and preserve the natural environment. We
pursue this mission primarily through the development and verification of compliance with technical
standards that encourage robust designs and the provision of solutions-oriented survey services. OSVs
designed, built and maintained to these standards may be accepted into and retained in ABS class. We
are committed to providing superior technical and survey services that assist our clients in conforming
to ABS requirements and international industry standards, thereby encouraging safe, efficient operations.
Our Staff
The ABS organization includes more than 4,000 engineers, surveyors and operational support staff located
throughout the world. ABS maintains engineering offices in Brazil, China, Germany, Greece, India, Italy,
Japan, Korea, Singapore, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and other centers to facilitate the
design review of the many OSVs on order to ABS class.
ABS’ experienced professionals provide technical support and assistance to clients during the initial design
concept, the plan approval process, construction and throughout the entire life cycle of the vessel. In
addition, a special OSV Market Sector Group monitors and anticipates the advances in this specialized fleet.
Our Fees
ABS fees can be tailored to an owner’s fleet profile and to operational and management requirements.
These approaches could include Master Service Agreements and Five Year Survey Fee packages as
appropriate.
When ABS is authorized to act on behalf of the flag State, these services also include the applicable
statutory inspections.
Class Notations
ABS, in cooperation with the owner and
the shipyard, will identify at the outset the
class notations that will be applied to the
vessel. The notations attest to the vessel’s
capabilities and identify the class Rules
and requirements that will be applied
throughout the class process. The OSV
notations will include one or more of the
following.
AMS is assigned to OSVs for which the machinery, boilers and systems are found satisfactory with regard
to the ABS requirements.
Optional class notations that reference dynamic positioning systems, additional equipment, strength
criteria, among others, are addressed in Category II of this document.
Teams of ABS specialists in different engineering disciplines and different regions of the world can work
on the design review simultaneously. If requested by the shipyard, the access of the reviewing engineers
can be restricted. As a consequence, the actions of the engineers are fully traceable as part of the system’s
built-in security safeguards.
Vendor Equipment
Coordination
The ABS vendor equipment
coordinator, working with the
large number of vendors and
sub-vendors, will facilitate the
delivery of vendor-supplied
equipment with appropriate
documentation.
Verifying compliance with approved drawings means approved plans are followed by the builder. The
builder uses materials and components, proper installation techniques, good workmanship practices in
adherence to the Rules. Surveyors are also involved at various levels with the building, installation and
testing of the structure and principal mechanical and electrical systems.
Machinery testing in accordance with the Rules includes testing at the point of manufacture and
after installation at the shipyard. As identified in the Rules, field surveyors will attend and/or audit
manufacturing and construction at vendor shops and fabrication yards. Surveyors will also attend and/or
audit steel mills, engine manufacturers and foundries producing castings and equipment to verify that
these are produced to the specifications contained in the applicable ABS Rules.
ABS provides guidance to both shipowners and shipbuilders on the technical requirements of the PSPC
and the role coatings play in the longevity of a vessel’s structure. General information is contained in the
ABS Guidance Notes on the Inspection, Maintenance and Application of Marine Coating Systems. Although
industry standards place the responsibility for the proper application of the coatings on the shipyard, the
ABS Guidance Notes clarify the issues and responsibilities for all parties.
OSVs that are built in conformance with the requirements contained in the ABS Guide for the Class
Notation Coating Performance Standard (CPS) may be awarded the CPS notation.
Sea Trials
An ABS surveyor will attend the sea trials of the vessel to verify that the trials are conducted properly and
that relevant class and statutory criteria are met.
The vessel’s classification information, characteristics and other particulars are then entered into the ABS
Record, the electronic register of vessels classed by ABS. The ABS Record is maintained and updated on
the ABS website. Optional class notations that a vessel has acquired are also recorded. These are further
explained in the Category II section.
The class survey regime also requires the owner to notify ABS when the vessel’s hull and/or machinery
suffer damage. An ABS surveyor will arrange to attend the vessel as promptly as possible and will verify
that the vessel remains in, or is returned to, a condition that is in conformance with the applicable Rules.
Prompt attendance by an ABS surveyor for the requisite periodic survey is made possible by the extensive,
global network of strategically placed ABS survey offices.
ABS recognizes the operational and contractual requirements of OSVs and therefore may accept under-
water inspection in lieu of drydocking (UWILD) subject to approved planning documents.
The Survey Manager system (formerly ABS SafeNet) has been in use for several years and is routinely
enhanced and expanded to better serve clients. Based on positive user feedback, ABS Eagle Survey
Manager is considered to be the most advanced, effective and user-friendly system currently available
to operators to monitor the classification status of their vessels.
Survey Manager efficiently manages the class and statutory data for an owner’s entire ABS-classed fleet in a
web-based electronic format. Shipowners have access to the data from multiple locations – in the office, on
board a vessel or from remote sites such as a repair yard.
In addition to the national or international tonnage certificates, ABS can issue Panama and Suez Canal
tonnage certificates on behalf of those authorities. Once in service, when authorized by the flag State, ABS
will conduct the applicable periodic statutory inspections and, if warranted, issue the relevant certificates.
Every nation can implement its own requirements for a vessel to operate in its waters, known as coastal
State requirements. ABS can assist an OSV owner in verifying the vessel meets certain coastal State
requirements.
PPA and basic design approval are not requirements of ABS class. These early stage engineering support
efforts are offered to clients to assist in the development of the design and minimize rework that could
result from a noncompliant design. This early stage engineering support precedes the detailed engineering
design review, addressed in Category I, which is required for classification or certification.
Engineering Analysis
ABS personnel are available to provide a wide range of additional engineering-related analyses during the
design evaluation and plan review phases of an OSV project. Depending on the size and type of OSV, a
variety of additional analyses can be performed:
• Global and local strength analysis
• Dynamic loading analysis (DLA)
• Spectral-based fatigue analysis (SFA)
When performing these analyses, the ABS Eagle DLA/SFA software may be applicable.
In addition, this procedure can be used for the application of SFA for the evaluation of structural fatigue.
SFA is a rational analysis procedure for evaluating fatigue life related to possible local cracking of vessel
structures. The spectral-based method for evaluating fatigue strength, due to the wave-induced responses,
is well established and has been extensively documented.
To streamline these procedures, ABS has integrated the proven analysis of DLA and SFA into a single
software program. Using a self-generated or user-supplied finite element model, the program can perform
a thorough DLA and SFA analysis of a vessel’s structure. The 3-D seakeeping, short and long-term statistical
analysis, finite element analysis, strength evaluations and fatigue assessments are fully integrated within
the program.
OSV designs that successfully undergo an ABS Eagle DLA/SFA evaluation will be awarded optional notations
denoting their evaluation by this methodology, including a notation indicating the vessel’s designed fatigue
life, e.g. SFA(30).
Advanced input parameters can be used to narrow the search criteria to the Rule requirements applicable
to a specific system, component, structural element, piece of equipment, notation or survey. Hyperlinks
embedded within the text provide the user with immediate window access to other related sections of the
Rules. The user can also generate check sheets that can be used to verify that applicable Rule requirements
have been addressed during the design and construction phases of a project.
Design guidance accounts for personnel capabilities, limitations and needs so that the arrangement and
orientation of the onboard work environment meets the needs of the crew members regardless of their
cultural background and physical dissimilarities.
Criteria are contained in the ABS Guide for Crew Habitability on Workboats. Applicable notations address
crew habitability and the acceptability of conditions on board a vessel in terms of vibration, noise, lighting,
indoor climate and physical and spatial characteristics. The criteria have been developed to support
effective human performance, mental alertness and basic levels of comfort that promote the general
well-being of the crew members and, as a consequence, the efficient and safe operation of the vessel.
OSVs that comply with the relevant criteria may be awarded the optional notations for habitability of
HAB(WB), HAB+(WB) or HAB++(WB).
Environmental Services
ABS can provide assistance to designers and owners as they seek to understand and address the increasing
number of environmental regulations and challenges. Advice and guidance is available on topics as diverse
as ballast water management to cold ironing, controlling emissions, handling oily bilge water residues and
complying with local and regional regulations that may differ from international standards.
The ABS Guide for the Environmental Protection Notation for Vessels has been developed with the objective
of promoting environmentally-safe design, construction and operation of ABS-classed vessels and marine
structures. The requirements relate to enhanced environmental standards for hull anti-fouling systems,
ballast water management and the prevention of oil, sewage, garbage and air pollution. There are two
optional notations available. The ENVIRO notation, denotes compliance with the requirements of
Annexes I, II, IV, V and VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,
MARPOL 73/78, as amended. The ENVIRO+ notation includes additional criteria for environmental
protection related to design characteristics, management and support systems, sea discharges and air
discharges.
The ABS Guide for Vessels Operating in Low Temperature Environments includes a section that specifically
addresses OSV operations. The Guide supplements the requirements for ice class related to the hull,
machinery and safety systems. Guidance is provided for preparing the vessel and the crew for operating
in harsh environments. Requirements for tank arrangements to prevent freezing of the contents and
structural design to protect equipment and crew are also provided.
In addition, the IACS Unified Requirements for Building Polar Class Vessels (Polar UR) have been
further endorsed by the maritime authorities worldwide. It is expected that the IMO Guidelines for Ships
Operating in Polar Waters will become a mandatory Polar Code. In order to align ice class notations with
the anticipated Polar Code, ABS implemented the Polar UR into the Rules for Building and Classing Steel
Vessels, effectively replacing the ABS General Ice Classes. However, until the Polar Code becomes binding,
an optional enhanced notation is available based on the ABS General Ice Class requirements.
NS5 Enterprise
ABS Nautical Systems
Division is a leading
provider of fleet
management software
for the marine and
offshore industries.
Marketed as a suite
of products called NS5 Enterprise, the software modules can function on a standalone basis or as a fully-
integrated management solution that addresses the principle elements of a vessel’s daily operational
functions. The software system allows the operator to better manage routine structural and mechanical
inspection and maintenance; manage inventory and personnel records; control HSQE documentation;
and conduct root cause analyses.
NS5 Enterprise can efficiently handle tasks ranging from regulatory compliance to payroll to planned
maintenance and quality programs. The modules share information, eliminating the need for repetitive
data entry, and allow the user to move rapidly from one module to another.
NS5 Enterprise offers the user greater efficiencies, increased productivity and more effective cost control.
The integrated architecture makes adding modules simple. Each module is valuable on its own but the
complete suite provides the most powerful, single-source fleet management tool available.
NS5 Enterprise is an easy-to-use Windows-based system with full replication capability offering solutions
for the following categories:
• Maintenance Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Safety Management
• Performance Management
• Workforce Management
• Supporting Applications
Full information on how the NS5 Enterprise fleet management software can improve operating efficiency
can be found at www.abs-ns.com.
The NS5 Enterprise Hull Inspection software is a browser-based tool that efficiently schedules hull
inspections, targets critical areas within the hull’s structure and identifies specific areas for ongoing
monitoring. The tool contains a built-in dashboard for high-level reporting and analyses, maintains a
record and history of inspections and records the condition of the hull with an easy to understand traffic
light status.
Many maintenance procedures include condition monitoring, e.g. checking and recording of vibration
levels, pressure, temperature, load current, running hours, lubricating oil analysis data and fuel
consumption. Practical use of this equipment condition data gives benefits such as eliminating the need
to open up machinery, saving on human resources and expenditure on spare parts and reducing downtime
and associated costs.
Reliability-Centered Maintenance
As a logical evolution of machinery maintenance program development, the application of reliability-
centered maintenance (RCM) allows maintenance programs to be evaluated in a risk-based approach that
provides the most value to an owner or operator. RCM analysis allows an owner to optimize maintenance
programs by first identifying functional failures within machinery systems that have the highest risk of
failure and then determining the optimum maintenance tasks and strategies that mitigate potential failures
to an acceptable level. In this way, maintenance programs are created which focus on critical components
and proper maintenance strategies.
By applying RCM principles, maintenance strategies are evaluated and applied in a rational and systematic
manner. ABS can assist owners in gaining approval for their own RCM programs for the maintenance of
class or offer further assistance in preparing and implementing an effective RCM program for machinery.
The ABS Guidance Notes on Reliability-Centered Maintenance provide the maintenance theory and
philosophy of RCM. In addition, the ABS Guide for Survey Based on Reliability-Centered Maintenance
contains the RCM program requirements for obtaining a special RCM notation.
ABS recognizes the positive impact that sound management practices have on these areas. The
requirements of this Guide have been largely derived from accepted management system principles
reflected in the ISM Code for safety; ISO 9001 for quality management systems; ISO 14001 for
environmental management systems; and OHSAS 18001 for occupational health and safety management
systems. These standards have been marinized as appropriate for greater relevance to the practical
operation of maritime vessels.
Training Services
ABS offers focused client seminars and training services for owners and operators of OSVs. Through the
ABS Academy more than 150 specialized training courses are available to address design, construction
and operational maintenance issues for marine and offshore assets. Classes are conducted in Academy
locations in Piraeus, Singapore, Shanghai, Dubai, Houston, Rio de Janeiro and Busan.
ABS Academy offers a range of courses addressing implementing and auditing management systems to
recognized industry standards. Courses can be customized and delivered at a client’s facility. For more
information, visit the ABS Academy website at www.absacademy.org.
During the evaluation phase, ABS Consulting can undertake an independent review of the design, taking
into account construction and subsequent operational factors that may include: suitability to owner’s
needs, selection of propulsion plant and operational requirements among others.
Once contract proposals have been received, ABS Consulting can assist the owner in reviewing the
proposals to identify those considered most advantageous. This review is intended to reveal ambiguities,
obvious omissions, incorrect requirements, future maintenance needs and potential issues associated
with the structure, cargo handling, engineering operations and crew safety.
Experienced ABS Consulting staff can confirm test requirements during builder’s dock, sea and acceptance
trials. This may include verification of the adequacy of deck equipment, outfitting and navigational items
and propulsion machinery and auxiliary equipment. A report detailing any areas requiring rectification can
be provided to the client on the completion of the trials.
Operational Services
ABS Consulting is available to provide worldwide technical support to the owner throughout the
operational life of the OSV. ABS Consulting can be made available to conduct condition surveys
and to assess the need for and approach to subsequent repairs including the preparation of repair
specifications and inspection of any repair work undertaken.
An owner considering purchasing an OSV can also contract with ABS Consulting to conduct a comprehen-
sive record review of the vessel’s classification history.
The ABS Consulting OTP encompasses the entire bunkering process, from pre-loading tests to machinery
maintenance recommendations, with the particular service package being customizable to the individual
client’s needs. It includes:
• Pre-loading tests to reduce incidences of de-bunkering
• Fuel line sampling to verify that the bunkers supplied meet the operator’s specifications
• Identification of fuel characteristics including density, viscosity, sulfur water, metals sediment,
pentane insolubles, acidity, sediment particle count, ferrography, ignition quality and carbon
residue fuel dilution
• Comparison with specified fuel standards and optional testing for specific criteria
• Verification of density for determination of delivered/invoiced quantity
• Determination of compatibility with other fuels
• Assessment of lube oil condition including additives
• Recommendations on condition maintenance and renewal of lube oils
• Machinery condition monitoring reports and performance trend analysis
• Fuel damage investigations
• Machinery damage surveys
• Preventative strategies for minimization of fuel-related problems
• Impartial independent measurement of bunker quantities
Each client will be placed in direct contact with an ABS Consulting appointed project coordinator who
will be responsible for arranging the speedy dispatch of the fuel samples and efficient delivery of results.
User-friendly forms have been created for the OSV’s crew to simplify the collection and dispatch of
the samples. Results are normally available electronically within 24 hours of receipt of the samples at
the laboratory. A rapid alert service is initiated when the quality of the fuel does not meet the desired
specifications.
Environmental Services
ABS Consulting staff members have in-depth knowledge of the implications for owners and operators
of international and local environmental requirements, such as NOx and SOx levels and cold ironing,
through to the more far-reaching aspects of regulatory agencies in dealing with maritime pollution
incidents. Failure to comply with the provisions of MARPOL and national legislation such as the
US Clean Water Act can
result in massive fines and
possible criminal penalties.
Increased vigilance by the
US Coast Guard, in addition
to the European Union and
many port State authorities,
has led to several high
profile prosecutions of
shipping companies.
ABS Consulting will review existing management systems for an owner or operator and can prepare
new manuals according to a client’s request. The manuals and plans are prepared according to the ISM
Guidelines and other applicable industry standards, using vessel-specific information.
ISPS shipboard internal security audits conducted by ABS Consulting are designed to reflect the
level of implementation of the relevant code in conjunction with flag State requirements as these are
incorporated in the Ship’s Security Plan (SSP).
An internal audit of the vessels in the client’s fleet can help identify any weak areas for improvement
as well as prepare the crew for forthcoming external audits. One of the main goals is to identify best
practices on board vessels and promote these fleet-wide.
Related Services
General inquiries regarding products and services provided
by ABS Consulting can be sent to [email protected]
or refer to the website to contact representatives at
www.absconsulting.com
WORLD HEADQUARTERS
ABS Plaza • 16855 Northchase Drive • Houston, TX 77060 USA
Tel: 1-281-877-5800 • Fax: 1-281-877-5803
Email: [email protected]
AMERICAS DIVISION
ABS Plaza • 16855 Northchase Drive • Houston, TX 77060 USA
Tel: 1-281-877-6000 • Fax: 1-281-877-6001
Email: [email protected]
EUROPE DIVISION
ABS House • No. 1 Frying Pan Alley • London E1 7HR, UK
Tel: 44-20-7247-3255 • Fax: 44-20-7377-2453
Email: [email protected]
PACIFIC DIVISION
438 Alexandra Road #10-00 • Alexandra Point • Singapore 119958
Tel: 65-6276-8700 • Fax: 65-6276-8711
Email: [email protected]
www.eagle.org