DNV has introduced stricter requirements for companies doing ultrasonic thickness measurements (UTM). Says DNV Maritime Chief Operating Officer, Tor Svensen; “The quality of the UTM companies represents one weak point in the safety chain of international shipping."
The new requirements will have no direct consequences for the ship owners except for one important item: From 1 January 2005, all DNV approved UTM ( Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement ) companies will have been divided into two categories, Category I or Category II. It is important that the owner from that date on order all the thickness measurements from a company in the relevant category.
Applicability
Category I
General approval applicable for firms engaged in measurements of all ship types and sizes.
Category II
Restricted approval applicable for firms engaged in measurements of fishing vessels and non ESP ships below 500 GT.
Additional requirements for Category I companies
Category I companies will have to follow somewhat stricter requirements than Category II companies. Some of the additional requirements for Category I companies are listed below :
- One-man firms are no longer accepted
- At least two operators shall attend on major assignments, e.g. for measurements taken in connection with renewal and intermediate surveys
- Sub-contracted operators shall come from DNV certified companies
- The operators shall be able to communicate in English, and to understand a ship's main hull drawings
- The measurements shall be presented in a new, DNV specific, electronic reporting format, and an electronic copy shall be given to the DNV surveyor onboard before the UTM operators leave the ship
- Final report shall be forwarded to DNV no later than 2 weeks after measurements are completed.
Complete requirements and guidelines
For a complete list of our requirements to the two categories of UTM companies, please download a free copy of our new approval programme no. 402, "Approval of firms engaged in Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements of Ship Structure" from the following website: http://www.dnv.com/maritime/publicationlist/utm.asp
The same website contains a UTM Guideline, explaining DNV's requirements for measurement patterns, number of measurement points for various parts of the ship's structure etc. Additional paper copies may be ordered from your local DNV office. The website also contains an electronic reporting format to be used for the UTM reports by Category I companies.
The service supplier certificate will indicate whether a UTM company is Category I or II, and DNV's list of approved service suppliers will also contain that information after 1 January 2005.
If you have any questions to the above, please do not hesitate to contact us at MTPNO864@dnv.com or at your local DNV office.