Lloyd’s Register has updated its Special Service Craft (SSC) Rules and Regulations focusing particularly on aluminium catamaran designs and other high speed craft, to allow greater design freedom and flexibility.
According to LR, this rule update was driven by the industry need to exploit the benefits offered by developing technologies. The new rules will support innovation in the sector by establishing requirements for which compliance can be demonstrated through the application of risk-based assessment techniques.
Joanna Mycroft, LR Senior Specialist, noted: “Having just completed the structural approval of vessels for Harbour Ferries using LR’s new SSC rules, I have been able to see how well they fit this format and the benefits that they bring to designers. The new rules provide lighter, faster vessels, with much more scope for adapting the rules to each design individually.”
For multi-hull vessels a number of arrangement criteria have been updated and prescriptive requirements have been removed, such as bridging structure bulkheads requirements and members typically used for dry-dockings, including centreline girders.
Minimum thickness requirements have also been updated based on service experience. These changes allow designers to improving structural efficiency.
The minimum design pressure for glazing has been reviewed in terms of the minimum load formulation to be applied to vessel glazing. This reduction in design pressure requirements is expected to provide weight savings.
