scope:

Foreword

For the 2008 edition, Part 1, "Conditions of Classification" was consolidated into a generic booklet, entitled Rules for Conditions of Classification (Part 1) for all vessels other than those in offshore service. The purpose of this consolidation was to emphasize the common applicability of the classification requirements in "Part 1" to ABS-classed vessels, other marine structures and their associated machinery, and thereby make "Conditions of Classification" more readily a common Rule of the various ABS Rules and Guides, as appropriate.

Thus, this supplement specifies only the unique requirements applicable to military vessels and other Government-owned vessels in non-commercial service. This supplement is always to be used with the aforementioned Rules for Conditions of Classification (Part 1).

It contains the terms and conditions for achieving ABS Classification, retaining a vessel in class, and situations that could result in suspension or cancellation of class. It also addresses class notations assigned to vessels; optional notations available; acceptance of alternatives; and application of the Guide.

Commercial vessels are required to comply with many national and international laws, codes, and standards. Most Government-owned vessels are exempt from such requirements; however, some choose to comply voluntarily. For various reasons, there has been a growing trend for Governments to selectively invoke commercial codes and standards, and in many cases to invoke classification.

All the various sets of ABS Rules contain provisions for accepting alternative arrangements, details and standards, and allow for special considerations in applying the Rules to Government vessels, and especially to military vessels. However, since they were written to apply to commercial vessels they include requirements and language that can at times make them difficult or time consuming to navigate when applying them to non-commercial vessels, and especially to military combatant vessels. This Guide was developed to address this by providing the same technical baseline of standards, but tailored where appropriate and written in a manner that better suits its direct application for the classification of military vessels and other Government-owned vessels in non-commercial service.