Application, scope and assumptions

This recommended practice applies to naval rescue submersible systems (hereafter referred to as submersible systems). The submersible system may thus be located on and operated from a ship, barge, mobile platform, fixed installation or an onshore site (in the latter case e.g. for training and research purposes).

Requirements for support vessels are included such as the requirements for stability, floatation and positioning ability.

The design of arrangements, systems and individual components may, alternatively or supplementary to the recommended practice, be based on recognised standards, codes, national regulations and other methods of safety and strength evaluation than specified in the recommended practice. The basis shall be equivalent to the requirements given in this recommended practice.

This recommended practice applies to submersible systems used in naval rescue activities.

For application in other activities, special consideration may need to be agreed by the parties to the contract and or involved statutory regulators.

This recommended practice is applicable to various submersible systems such as:

— submersible systems coupled with deck decompression chambers and for deployment of divers

— Tethered/remotely operated submersibles

— Supported submersibles

— Autonomous submersibles

This recommended practice is not applicable to tourist submersibles and is not applicable to submarines.

Upon special consideration, part of a rescue submersible may be verified against parts of this recommended practice.

The scope is defined in each section for the various disciplines and may refer to standards that apply to the discipline in general, such as for electrical systems. In these cases this recommended practice only contains requirements that are particular to submersible systems, whereas the generic requirements are given in the referred standard or code. The combined requirements shall then constitute the scope.

Verification is based on the assumption that the submersible will be properly maintained and operated by competent personnel, and that a pre check procedure is followed to ensure that all systems and components function properly before start of each operation, and that current, wave and wind conditions will be within the design limits. The assumed operational procedures shall be stated in the approved extract of the Operation Manual.