scope:

Application and Scope

This Guide has been developed to provide requirements for the design and construction of liquefied gas tank barges with remote control and monitoring of essential systems built in accordance with the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Barges (Barge Rules) and the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels for Service on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways (River Rules). Manning is established by the flag Administration.

This Guide is applicable to non-self-propelled barges equipped with various degrees of automation and remote control and monitoring of essential systems supporting cargo management that are periodically unattended and controlled primarily from the associated towing vessel navigation bridge.

For a periodically unattended barge assigned the Liquefied Gas Tank Barge notation, the provisions of this Guide are required to be complied with. The same may be applied to a barge assigned Liquefied Gas Tank Barge, River Service notation in accordance with the River Rules.

In addition to the above notation, the following comment will be maintained in the ABS Record in compliance with this Guide:

"Classed to operate with barge remote control and monitoring with the associated towing vessel(s) (Vessel Name(s) and IMO Number(s))".

Alternative identification number will be considered where an IMO number is not assigned.

This Guide is not intended for automation, remote control and monitoring for thrusters and dynamic positioning systems. For information on automation, remote control and monitoring for thrusters and dynamic positioning systems, see the ABS Guide for Dynamic Positioning Systems, as per 5C-8-1/2 of the Marine Vessel Rules.