scope:

Foreword

Passenger vessels continue to be one of the fastest growing segments of the marine industry, with perhaps the most significant growth involving cruise vessels.

ABS traditionally has classed passenger vessels according to the requirements published in the Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels. Currently, Chapter 7 of Part 5C of the Rules, in association with Parts 3 and 4, generally addresses requirements for passenger vessels.

However, to better serve this segment of the industry, ABS has prepared this Guide as a separate publication, based on most recent ABS experience in classing these vessels, and which includes the following:

• An update of hull structural requirements based on current technology, focusing on structural arrangements unique to this type of vessel;

• Incorporation of a direct calculation approach to assure the adequacy of the scantlings, arrangements and materials contributing to the overall structure, including superstructure and deck houses, for the design environment and vessel operating conditions;

• Expansion of the specification of requirements for subdivision, intact and damage stability, stability guidance and damage control from SOLAS* and for ballast water management, including references to guidance on the preparation of necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance;

• Incorporation of requirements from SOLAS for structural fire protection to help ensure that their effects on structural design and arrangements are considered at an early stage;

• Separate, expanded Sections for Machinery Equipment and Systems and for Fire Safety Systems, focused on classification and statutory requirements, respectively, for passenger vessels;

• A new Section giving information on optional class notations available for passenger vessels including: Environmental Safety (ES), Passenger Comfort (COMF, COMF+), Crew Habitability (HAB, HAB+) and Propulsion Redundancy (R1, R2, R1-S, R2-S).

This Guide is not a stand-alone publication. However, it contains all requirements unique to passenger vessels, supplemented by references to additional requirements in the Rules, in SOLAS and in other IMO publications.

It is our intention to apply this Guide as of 1 March 2001 and to obtain ABS experience and Industry input for a brief period of time and, then, to propose a Rule change incorporating the Guide contents to replace Part 5C, Chapter 7 of the Rules.

We encourage your use of the Guide and welcome your comments.