RINA amends Rules for the Classification of Underwater Units

Classification Society RINA has amended the Rules for the Classification of Underwater Units.

These amendments were published on 3 July 2023 and are in force from 1 July 2023.

Application

These Rules apply to vehicles, apparatuses, and systems suitable for underwater operation or related to underwater activity, manned or unmanned, mobile or fixed, self-propelled or non-propelled, of any size.

These Rules do not apply to mobile or fixed marine platforms, for drilling or similar activity, for which reference is to be made to the specific rules.

The most common services to which underwater units may be assigned are listed below; any services not included in the list will be given particular consideration:

a) observation: exploration, inspection of submerged works, construction survey of submerged arrangements, research, hydrographical surveys, oceanographic studies, spotting;
b) work: fishing, digging, drilling, extraction, drawing of samples from the seabed, carriage, maintenance and repair of submerged parts, building of underwater structures and plants, various installations, rescue, demolition, salvage;
c) supply: assistance to underwater works;
d) tourism: carriage of passengers (see Part E).

The Certificate of Classification deals with the following parts:

a) hull structures (pressure and light shell) and relevant accessory parts such as covers and portholes;
b) propulsion system;
c) auxiliary machinery and relevant systems, if intended for essential services;
d) electrical system;
e) complete diving system, including all components and installation on board the supply unit, with regard to its operational functionality.

As a rule, the requirements regarding fire protection, detection and extinction are not mandatory for classification purposes, except when RINA carries out surveys relevant to those requirements on behalf of an Administration.

In that case, fire requirements are considered a matter of class and consequently at class surveys compliance with those requirements is verified by RINA for classification purposes.

The Certificate of Classification does not deal with the following parts:

types of breathing mixtures used in hyperbaric technology and their stowage conditions;
methods of use and operation of underwater units;
methods used by divers such as decompression stops, repetition of immersions;
requirements of a medical nature.