WHAT IS ABS?
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) was chartered in 1862 to certify ship captains. Since then, it has been involved in developing and setting safety and quality standards for ships and offshore structures. ABS standards are recognized globally and are used to ensure that the materials, parts and components, and construction of vessels and marine equipment meet established safety standards. ABS works with the marine industry worldwide as they develop new technologies for constructing marine vessels and offshore structures, revising and updating its certifications to meet the changing industry needs.
The Rules and Grades established by ABS for certification are written to provide standards for the design, construction, and periodic survey of marine vessels and offshore structures to promote their safe design and assembly. Materials, parts, and components used in the manufacture of marine vessels and structures must meet the set standards for the vessel or structure in which they will be used.
Certifications are specified by the Rules, such as Steel Vessel Rules part 2-3-7/1, or MODU (mobile offshore drilling unit) Rules, or the material grade, such as Grade 2, or Grade 4C.
The end use of the component determines the inspections and certifications required, as well as any requirements for inspections during manufacturing:
- Certain components used in the construction of the vessel or structure must be certified
- Some of those components must be certified (inspected) as they are being constructed or fabricated to verify that the construction meets ABS standards
- Some materials must be certified during manufacturing; this will minimize the need for additional certification during construction or fabrication
Information about ABS certifications can be found at www.eagle.org.