Remote Survey

Indicates compliance with the requirements of ABS Marine Vessel Rules Part 7/ ABS Mobile Offshore Unit Rules Part 7 / Floating Production Installations Rules Part 7 / ABS Single Point Mooring Rules Part 5.

• Coating Performance Standard (CPS)

  Annual class survey for verification of the performance standard for protective coatings in ballast tanks required for the CPS class notation.

Indicates compliance with the requirements of ABS Marine Vessel Rules Part 7 / ABS Mobile Offshore Unit Rules Part 7 / Floating Production Installations Rules Part 7.

• Athwartship Positioning System (APS)

  Assigned to a self-propelled vessel fitted with athwartship thrusters intended to assist in the maneuvering of the vessel.

• Propulsion Assist System (PAS)

  Assigned to non-self-propelled vessels fitted with thrusters intended to assist in maneuvering or propelling while under tow.

• Dynamic Positioning System (DPS)

  Indicates that a self-propelled (or non-self-propelled) vessel is fitted with a system of thrusters, positioning instruments and control systems in accordance with the applicable requirements of the ABS Guide for Dynamic Positioning Systems.
  

• Planned Maintenance (PM)

  Annual confirmation on the continued compliance of the approved planned maintenance systems.

Indicates compliance with the requirements of ABS Marine Vessel Rules Part 7.

Indicates compliance with Sections 1 through 3 of the ABS Guide for Bridge Design and Navigational Equipment/Systems.

Indicates compliance with Sections 1 through 4 of the ABS Guide for Bridge Design and Navigational Equipment/Systems.

Only vessels maintaining a PMP notation are eligible for remote Continuous Machinery Surveys (CMS). Preventative Maintenance activities are performed by the crew or a designated party. Vessel maintenance intervals and tasks will follow OEM recommendations or documented operator experience. Through ABS Remote Survey, the owner or operator can provide documentation to ABS for each machinery part item and receive credit without physical ABS Surveyor attendance.

Indicates continued compliance of additional firefighting systems and services as applicable to FFV Class 1/2/3 Notation.

An IHM initial and renewal survey for existing vessels verifies the location of the hazardous materials on board that are listed in the IHM. ABS-classed and non-ABS-classed vessels are eligible for an IHM survey. An IHM survey supports compliance with both EU Ship Recycling requirements and the IMO Hong Kong Convention.

Safety Radio Surveys are credited in collaboration with flag authorization and an ABS Recognized Service Supplier in Radio Communication Equipment who goes on board to test and confirm the functionality of safety critical, radio equipment. Periodical and renewal surveys can be completed remotely following an approved ABS Recognized Service Supplier in Radio Communication Equipment report which confirms there are no findings.

Offshore units and marine vessels may be eligible for remote survey of the underwater portion of the unit during a drydocking survey. Remote underwater surveys require real-time data connection capable of handling audio, video and communication remotely operated vehicle (ROV) feeds so an ABS surveyor can remotely witness the examination. The examination must be performed by an ABS Recognized Service Supplier in In-Water Survey.

Indicates compliance with the International Convention on Load Lines.

Annual SOLAS survey for the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk, pending approval from the vessel’s flag state.

Annual MARPOL Annex I statutory survey for the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate, pending approval from the vessel’s flag state.

Annual MARPOL Annex II statutory survey for the International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk, pending approval from the vessel’s flag state.

Annual MARPOL Annex VI statutory survey for the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate and the NOX Technical Code, pending approval from the vessel’s flag state.

Annual SOLAS statutory survey for the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment – Annual Safety Construction, pending approval from the vessel’s flag state.

Annual SOLAS statutory survey for the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment – Annual Safety Equipment, pending approval from the vessel’s flag state.

MODU Code Mandatory Annual Survey for units with a Pre-1979, 1979, 1989, 2009 or MOU certificate pending approval from the unit’s flag state.

ABS allows for remote drydock surveys to be extended by one month and up to three months if the last drydocking was not more than 36 months prior. Traditionally, to grant an extension ABS would have to send a surveyor onboard to confirm if immediate repairs were needed. By leveraging ABS Recognized Service Supplier in In-Water Survey who can conduct underwater examinations in lieu of drydocking (UWILD), ABS can accept the results via remote attendance process.

A vessel that has been issued valid Concurrent Load Line Certificates and has had assignments permanently marked under a surveyor’s oversight may be eligible for remote surveys with authorization from the vessel’s Flag Administration. In the past, a surveyor was needed to attend when a request was made to change between freeboard assignments. With the ABS Remote Survey Program, verification that the non-associated marks are painted out (obliterated) and that the new marks are painted in a sharply contrasting color can be achieved remotely. If found satisfactory, the remote survey will also ensure the certificates not in use will be placed in a secure location.

In the past, a surveyor was needed to attend when a request was made to postpone Auxiliary Boilers Survey due date. With the ABS Remote Survey Program, external overall examination of the boiler, both examination and operational tests for safety valve relieving gear (easing gear) and boiler’s protective devices (alarms and shutdowns), as well as records review, can be achieved remotely. A vessel that has complied with ABS MVR 7-7-1/11 with valid Class Certificates may be eligible for remote surveys with authorization from the vessel’s Flag Administration. If found satisfactory, the remote survey will grant an up to three (3) months extension.

A vessel with a Condition of Class or a Statutory Condition are eligible for remote survey upon ABS review and acceptance. In some cases, Statutory Condition remote surveys are subject to Flag Administration authorization. Examples of items for consideration are replacement parts and equipment requiring periodic servicing. Designated ABS surveyors will evaluate the request and verification method and advise whether the item qualifies for the ABS Remote Survey program.

Any vessel with a Tail Shaft survey is eligible for remote survey. An extension of up to three months may be granted by the surveyor when endorsed by the Chief Engineer. Tail Shaft survey extensions are composed of a visual inspection of all accessible parts of the shafting system, verification of the inboard seal, review of the previous wear down and or clearance recordings, review of service records, review of test records and verification of no reported repairs by grinding or welding. With the ABS Remote Survey program, documentation data can be submitted through ABS’s remote survey website.

Minor damages are eligible for remote survey upon ABS review and acceptance. The identified items are to be presented by the authorized representative along with supporting photos, sketches, videos, and measurements. Any items surveyed remotely may require additional examination during the next ABS surveyor attendance onboard or the Annual Survey.

• Set-in or fracture that corresponds to 3 points or fewer in accordance with the Inspection Grading Criteria for the ABS Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program
• Anchor windlass damage provided there is proof the secondary windlass is operating satisfactorily
• Hopper damage Identified structural damages or statutory items may require authorization from the Flag Administration if ABS will not physically attend. Generally, items affecting primary hull structure, longitudinal strength, watertight/oil tight integrity of hull/ boundaries, stability or wastage over allowable limits (buckling, detachment or fracture) will require ABS surveyor physical attendance.