Information concerning DNV Rules for Classification can be obtained by sending an email to rules@dnv.com

The main changes are:

Ships Built for In-Water Survey (BIS)
Requests for a special feature class notation, which offers an alternative to dry-docking, has prompted the re-introduction of the notation BIS.

New installations of materials containing asbestos
Rules have been amended to include the implementation of SOLAS 2000 Chapter II-1, Part A-1, Regulation 3-5, with respect to new installations of materials containing asbestos. Regulation 3-5 was added by MSC.99 (73) adopted in December 2000, which entered into force on 1 July 2002.

Piping Systems
(IACS UR F35 (SOLAS Ch.II-2) 33)
The changes to these rules include:

• Clarification of the limitation for the use of cast iron piping in lubrication oil systems
  
• Requirements for the use of plastic pipes in refrigerated seawater (RSW) systems have been written in greater detail for clarification
  
• Requirements for a specific method for securing valves to the shipside have been deleted, as other methods are now more commonly accepted
  
• Bilge system requirements in accordance with SOLAS XII 13 for bulk carriers, as per MSC 76 and DE 46, have been introduced
  
• Fuel oil system - heating of storage tanks has been revised in line with IACS UR F35
  
• The requirements for valve arrangements on fuel oil tanks have been revised in accordance with latest SOLAS amendments
  
• The detailed requirements for dimensioning of hydraulic cylinders, which are considered incomplete and superfluous in the current rules, have been deleted. These requirements are covered by Type approval program No. 201
  
• The requirements for pneumatic systems have been revised and clarified. The revisions concern duplication of text and clarification of redundancy requirements for air starting systems
  
• Clarification of the general minimum wall thickness requirements for steel pipes, between hull plating and closable or non-return valve, and special requirements applicable to discharges for inert gas scrubber, have been introduced.
  

Vibration
Vibration class has been introduced as a class notation and includes procedures for where and how to measure vibration levels. These requirements are based on international standards and experience values. Vessels fulfilling the requirements, which will be especially calculated for each particular vessel, and checked through measurements, will be given the class notation VIBR.

Fuel and Lubrication Oil System Components Manufactured in Aluminum
All reference to the type of material to be used for the manufacture of fuel and lubricating oil system components has been deleted. The rules concerning flexible hoses: inconsistency between Pt.4 Ch.3, Pt.4 Ch.4 and Pt.4.Ch.6 has been raised as an issue by DNV CMC surveyors. As a consequence these issues have been clarified in the rules.

Oil Fuel Arrangements
(SOLAS Reg. II-2/15.2.9 to 15.2.12)
DNV rules have been aligned with SOLAS consolidated edition 2001 Reg. II-2/15.2.9 to 15.2.12 - Oil Fuel Arrangements. SOLAS Reg. 15.2.9 to 15.2.11 has been applicable for new convention ships constructed on or after 1 July 1998. With effect from 1 July 2003, the requirements apply retroactively to all ships subject to SOLAS.

Storage of Recovered Oil in Double Bottom Tanks in the Engine Room
DNV considers that the use of double bottom tanks for the storage of recovered oil is no longer an acceptable solution. Consequently, this item has been deleted from the rules, where this hitherto had been an option for special consideration.

Fire Safety
New fire safety rules have been introduced, since the previous rules were deleted and adapted to 'core class principles'. The new rules remain in line with the 'core class principles' but DNV's actual scope of work has been better defined. Additionally, all well-established DNV guidelines and interpretations of SOLAS Ch.II-2, plus all relevant IACS interpretations to Ch.II-2, have been reinserted in the rules as appendices.
DNV's interpretations of SOLAS on high-expansion foam-extinguishing systems have also been updated and aligned with accepted industry standards as of today. In addition, the main class fire safety rules for cargo vessels, of less than 500grt, have been updated to be in line with IACS Internal Guideline No.2 for small vessels.

Fire Protection -
Adoption of MSC Circular 850
Rules have been amended in order to include items listed in MSC.Circ.850, such as annual testing of the breathing air quality for air compressors and hydrostatic testing of all fire hoses.
Hull Surveys of Oil Tankers and Bulk (IACS UR Z10)

The Rules for Classification of Ships have been amended in line with the latest revisions of IACS Unified Requirements for hull surveys of oil tankers and bulk carriers, as follows:

• Hull surveys of oil tankers
  Z10.1 Rev.11 August 2003
  
• Hull surveys of bulk carriers
  Z10.2 Rev.14 August 2003
  Rev.15 December 2003
  Corr.1 February 2004
  Rev.16 February 2004

Supply Vessels
The requirements for increased anchoring equipment are no longer considered valid, there being no clear reason to further justify the additional anchoring equipment. Consequently, these rules have been deleted and replaced by a Guidance note.

Naval Landing Craft
Naval Landing Craft is a new ship type, which is aimed primarily at the traditional open type landing craft, but can also be applied for fast, enclosed types of landing craft. The basic philosophy is that when a landing craft is operating in open water, the craft is considered as any craft carrying people and vehicles. During beaching operations the focus is more on operational aspects, and safety is less critical. The rule requirements are therefore aimed at a normal safety level for open water use, and at established 'Naval practice' for beaching operations.

Nautical Safety
SOLAS Chapter V Reg. 18.7 requires additional voluntary navigational equipment to conform to the relevant IMO performance standards. This has resulted in a substantial change when such terms as 'electronic charts' and ECS (Electronic Chart Systems) have been replaced by ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display Information System). These changes have been reflected throughout the document.

Relevant paragraphs regulating watch monitoring and alarm transfer systems have been updated for consistency with the latest IMO performance standards for bridge navigational watch alarm systems.

The methods for achieving data on ships' manoeuvrability have been revised based on the latest IMO resolutions, as well as strong arguments from the industry that some of the previously required full-scale trials have caused unnecessary fatigue on major ship components, such as rudder stocks and main bearings.

Removal of the requirement for carrying LORAN/C has been based on strong inputs from users, industry and the findings of a FSA project for Large Passenger Vessels. Thus indicating that availability of positioning systems is the vital criterion for effectiveness, regarding safety.

The mandatory requirement for including AIS (Automatic Identification System) graphical presentation on radars is a direct result of the FSA study.

Nautical Safety Survey Arrangements
Based on experience feedback from shipowners, the existing survey scheme for DNV's NAUT notations has been amended as follows:

1. Annual survey
   The scope of the annual survey is to verify functional status of navigation equipment as well as log changes of software and/or hardware. DNV will now be proactive in assisting shipowners when changes of software and/or hardware have been identified.
   
2. Renewal survey every 5 years
   The scope of the renewal survey is inspection and functional testing of all navigational equipment verifying the performance and professional guidance on the follow-up of the equipment. The survey will be performed by a nautical surveyor.
   
3. The scope of survey exceeds the scope of a CEC or PSSC.
   

NAUTICAL SAFETY-HSC Code 2000
The new class notation, NAUT-HSC, is based on the HSC code 2000, and gives requirements for bridge design, instrumentation, location of equipment and bridge procedures. It includes the following quality assurance for shipowners:

• Proper assessment of bridge design, equipment, arrangement of workstations for compliance with DNV nautical safety rules and with all international standards
  
• Qualified survey of onboard commissioning and extended testing of bridge equipment for safe operations
  
• Ensure optimal tuning of autopilot and track control steering for safety and fuel efficiency
  
• Professional guidance and proper follow-up of equipment installation and performance
  
• Recognised brand for nautical safety for preference among insurance companies and charterers.
  

Survey Scope of Class Notation VCS-3
From 2004, the class notation VCS-3 will include an annual survey. VCS-1 and VCS-2 notations have a very limited classification scope and require 5-yearly surveys. However, VCS-3, which is a complete system for vapour processing, will need both a 5-yearly complete periodical survey as well as an annual survey, with a different, and in effect much more extensive scope than VCS-1 and VCS-2.

General
Amendments described under the rules for ships in categories: Machinery and Systems - Main Class and Special Equipment and Systems - Additional Class, may share a common booklet with the rules for High Speed Light Craft and Naval Surface Craft.