Section 1 General

101. Application 【See Guidance】

1. The survey and construction of ships of fibre reinforced plastics (hereinafter referred to as "FRP" and "FRP ships") to be registered in accordance with the Regulations for the Classification and Registry of Ships are to be as prescribed in these Rules. However, Light Craft or High-speed Light Craft defined in Ch 1, 103. of Rules and Guidance for the Classification of High Speed and Light Crafts were excepted.

2. The requirements in these Rules are applied to FRP Ships intended for unrestricted service, except oil tanks, less than 35 m in length, of normal form and proportion.

3. Hull construction, equipment and scantlings of FRP Ships intended for restricted service may be properly modified according to the conditions of service.

4. The requirements in these Rules are applied to FRP ships moulded by hand lay-up method or spray lay-up method, using fibre reinforcements such as fibreglass, etc. and thermosetting resins such as unsaturated polyester resins, etc. Other moulded methods and materials are to be in accord- ance with the discretion of the Society. However, wooden ships only covered with FRP or the ships of similar construction are not regarded as FRP ships.

5. In FRP ships of unusual form or proportion, or intended for carriage of special cargoes, or mould- ed by the method or with the materials other than specified as above, the hull construction, equip- ment, arrangement and scantlings are to be in accordance with the discretion of the Society.

102. Equivalency

Alternative hull construction, equipment, arrangement and scantlings will be accepted by the Society, provided that the Society is satisfied that such construction, equipment, arrangement and scantlings are equivalent to those required in these Rules.

103.

Direct strength calculation 【See Guidance】

1. Where approved by the Society, scantlings of structural members may be determined based upon direct calculation. Where calculated scantlings based on the direct calculation exceed the scantlings required in this part, the former is to be adopted.

2. Direct calculations may be required for crafts having novel design features or in support of alter- native arrangements and scantlings.

3. Where the direct calculation specified in the Par 1 is carried out, the data necessary for the calcu- lation are to be submitted to the Society.