scope:

General

Application

These Rules apply to ships to be classed for unrestricted service. For ships classed for restricted service or ships which are intended to trade within specified limits as well as for small cargo vessels of less than convention size (< 500 GT), small fishing vessels, pontoons without propulsion, barges and dredgers without propulsion and pleasure craft (yachts, etc.) exemptions from the requirements of these Rules may be permitted.

Designs which deviate from these Rules may be approved provided that such designs have been examined by GL for suitability and have been recognized as equivalent.

National rules or regulations remain unaffected.

Annex A contains recommendations which are not a matter of Classification.