scope:

Scope of Classification

Nothing contained in any certificate or report is to be deemed to relieve any designer, builder, Owner, manufacturer, seller, supplier, repairer, operator, other entity or person of any warranty expressed or implied. Any certificate or report evidences compliance only with one or more of the Rules, Guides, Standards or other criteria of the American Bureau of Shipping and is issued solely for the use of the Bureau, its committees, its clients or other authorized entities. Nothing contained in any certificate, report, plan or document review or approval is to be deemed to be in any way a representation or statement beyond those contained in 1/1.1.3. The validity, applicability and interpretation of any certificate, report, plan or document review or approval are governed by the Rules and Standards of the American Bureau of Shipping who shall remain the sole judge thereof. The Bureau is not responsible for the consequences arising from the use by other parties of the Rules, Guides, Standards or other criteria of the American Bureau of Shipping, without review, plan approval and survey by the Bureau.

The term "approved" shall be interpreted to mean that the plans, reports or documents have been reviewed for compliance with one or more of the Rules, Guides, Standards, or other criteria of the Bureau.

The Rules are published on the understanding that responsibility for operation, reasonable handling and loading, as well as for avoidance of distributions of loads, which are likely to set up abnormally severe stresses in offshore installations, does not rest upon the Committee.