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Section 1 General
101. Application
1. The requirements of this Part apply to surface dependent or surface independent submersible. Rules for Classification Steel Ships may be applied to the Submersible for the unspecified in this Rule.
2. For the submersible equipping the diver's lock-out system, it is to be complied with Pt 9, Ch 7 of
Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships in addition to this Part.
3. In case of surface dependent submersible, the classification also extends to systems and equipment on the support ship or support station which are needed to supply the submersible.
4. Designs differing from this Part of Construction may be permitted provided their suitability has been verified by the Society and they have been recognized as equivalent.
5. Submersibles and their parts thereof whose development is based on new principles and which have not yet been sufficiently tested in practical operation require special approval by the Society.
102. Definition
For the purpose of this Part the terms used therein is to be as followings in addition to Pt 9, Ch 7, 602 of Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships.
1. Submersible
A submersible means manned surface dependent or surface independent submersible capable of op- erating underwater.
2. Surface independent (Autonomous) submersible
A submersible capable of operating offshore without a support ship.
3. Pressure hull
A pressure hull means the main component of a submersible which accommodates the crew at at- mospheric pressure and withstands the diving pressure.
4. External structure
An external structure means external cladding, supporting structures and fixtures outside the pressure hull which are not normally designed to withstand the diving pressure.
5. Viewport
A viewport means openings in pressure hulls or compression chambers for fitting pressure tight, flat or spherical acrylic windows.
6. Release equipment
A release equipment means the mass capable of decreasing the total mass of submersible. It may be used for the when the submersible can not buoy by buoyancy.
7. Diver's lockout
A diver's lockout means a compression chamber including exit hatch in a submersible for the entry, egress and accommodation of divers at diving pressure operating limits for launching and re- trieval(seaway) other operating limits.
8. Control Station
A control station means central station at which all essential indicators, controls, regulating devices, monitoring devices, communication systems of the submersibles are arranged.
Pt 1 Submersibles
Ch 1 General Pt 1, Ch 1
9. Total system
A total system means the submersible including its mating, handling, retrieval, working and supply systems and ancillary equipment.
10. Maximum diving depth
A maximum diving depth means the depth where the submersible can be operated safely is meas- ured from the keel of the submersible to the surface.
11. Maximum permissible diving pressure
A maximum permissible diving pressure means the pressure is in accordance with maximum diving depth.
12. Design pressure
A design pressure means the maximum permissible diving pressure
13. Test depth
A test depth means the depth corresponds to the external pressure to which the submersible is to be subjected on completion. The depth is measured to the underside of the pressure hull.
14. Destructive depth
A destructive depth means the calculated external pressure liable to cause collapse of the pressure hull.
15. Support ship/station
A support ship/station means a surface vessel or station for supporting and supplying non-autono- mous submersibles.
16. Maximum design mission time
The maximum design mission time means a maximum effective recharging interval for life support, compressed air and electrical systems for which the submersible is designed and approved to per- form the intended function under normal operating conditions.