ABS: Requirements for Vessels Designed for Bottom Contact

The American Bureau of Shipping has issued the Requirements for Vessels Designed for Bottom Contact.

This document was issued on 1 September 2023 and entered into force on the same date.

Foreword

This document provides requirements for vessels which have been designed and built for bottom contact with the seabed (or riverbed, as applicable) to obtain the classification notation DBC (Designed for Bottom Contact).

This notation is mandatory for vessels carrying out such operations.

This document also provides class requirements for existing vessels that are proposed to operate while the bottom is in contact with the seabed.

The term "vessel" as used in this document includes barges as applicable.

The operations described in this document refer to controlled, planned operations carried out by the vessel’s crew due to project needs (for example, cable laying close to shore).

Any accidental grounding of the vessel is not part of the scope of this document.

This document is to be used in conjunction with the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Marine Vessels (Marine Vessel Rules), the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Barges (Barge Rules), as well as applicable Statutory Regulations.

Application

This document is applicable to barges and ships that are designed and built for their hull to rest on the seabed (or riverbed, as applicable) in a controlled environment during normal operation.

Such bottom contact operations are intended to extend over short periods of time (for example, between tidal variations).

These requirements do not apply to offshore units involved in hydrocarbon exploration operations.

If you need more information, please visit the ABS Rules and Guides page, where the document is available FOR FREE.