PROCEDURES

GUIDELINES TO SHIPOWNERS APPLYING FOR CLASSIFICATION WITH PRS These Guidelines are designed to inform/advise Shipowners and other interested parties of the procedures and requirements of PRS in the classification of ships already in service (existing vessels) and ships transfer of Class to PRS SCOPE


The Classification of ships by PRS covers the review and approval of ships plans and a specified program of Classification Surveys to verify and ensure compliance of the Society's Classification Rules (Class Rules). PRS establishes and applies technical standards for the design, construction and survey of ships and other related marine structures. These established and published standards are known as the PRS Class Rules. These Rules are developed to contribute to the structural strength and integrity of the ship's hull and the reliability of propulsion machinery, power generation, steering systems, etc. A Classification Survey is a visual examination which normally consists of:

1. The overall examination of the items for survey
2. The detailed inspection of selected parts
3. Witnessing test, measurements and trials where applicable

When a PRS surveyor identifies corrosions, structural defects or damage to the ship's hull, machinery and/or any part of its equipment which in the opinion of the surveyor will affect the ship's general condition, remedial measures and/or appropriate recommendations are given to the Shipowner to be complied with before the ship is accepted to class. The surveyor's recommendations are requirements that specific measures, modifications, repairs, etc. are to be carried-out by the Shipowner within a specified period of time in order for the vessel to attain class or retain class, whichever is the case. Upon compliance of all relevant requirements and classification surveys PRS issues a certificate of classification. Every ship classed by PRS will be granted five (5) years Full Term Class Certificate and shall be subjected to a specified program of surveys which normally consist of a four (4) year Annual Endorsement Surveys, Confirmation Surveys and a Class Renewal/Special Survey (conducted once every five (5) years). The extent and rigor of each Special Survey increases depending on the age and condition of the vessel as stipulated in the Society's Rules and Regulations for the Construction and Classification of Steel Vessels 1989, specifically Section 2, Chapter B, thereof. When a ship is accepted into class, PRS will assign appropriate class symbols, marks and notation. These symbols, marks and notation express the degree of confidence the ship deserves. They are indicated on the Classification Certificate issued to the Shipowner as an evidence of the ship's compliance of PRS Class Rules relative to the structural and mechanical fitness of the ship for its intended use and geographical limitations. PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF SHIPS ALREADY IN SERVICE (EXISTING SHIPS) The procedure for the classification of ships already in service (existing ships) are divided into six (6) stages:

1. Submission of application by shipowner and signing of contract
2. General survey of the vessel (conducted when there is doubt to bring vessel to class)
3. Submission of required plans for review and approval
4. Actual survey of ship on drydock or on shipway
5. Attendance of surveyor to witness the ship's sea trial
6. Documentation and issuance of PRS Class Certificate upon satisfactory completion of all the above requirements.

Stage 1	Shipowners and other interested parties may call, come or write to PRS at its telephone numbers and address indicated in this website and will be promptly advised on the requirements. PRS would likewise be interested to know if the Shipowner can meet these requirements. An Application Form for classification is handily available at the PRS office for the Shipowner to accomplish (The Application Form is also posted in this website and can be "downloaded" by interested parties to immediately avail of the same). Information as to the particulars of the ship, the name of the builder, date of built, type, propulsion machinery, gross and net tonnages, unusual features, alterations if any, etc. may be asked and whether all required original and alteration plans are readily available as these are important requirements.
	Upon receipt of the duly accomplished Application Form, PRS prepares quotation for classification fee/terms of payment and conditions. If the Shipowner is agreeable to the classification fee/terms and conditions, he signs a contract.
Stage 2	In cases, where PRS has any reason to doubt that the ship will not meet classification requirements, it will try to arrange a general survey/examination of the ship prior to proceeding further to save time and unnecessary expense by the Shipowner. If PRS surveyor finds the vessel in poor condition during the general survey, the Shipowner will be advised of the findings informally so that all parties would be aware of what lies ahead. (In these cases, the fee for classification becomes insignificant when compared to the repair cost to bring a vessel into class). However, if the ship appears to be in reasonable condition, PRS will require Shipowner to complete the request for classification and prepares the quotation for the classification fee/terms and conditions. If the Shipowner is agreeable with the terms and conditions, he signs a contract.
Stage 3	The Shipowner shall submit the required plans (in three (3) copies each) and documents of the ship as early as possible to give enough lead time for PRS to review the same.

What are the required plans and documents to be submitted? Initially, the following five (5) plans and documents have to be submitted before the initial survey of the ship is conducted. to be followed by the other required plans and certificates listed below: Requirements for tankers carrying white product (flash point less than 60^oC) can be obtained from the PRS office.

Other plans/drawings/data necessary for strength and other calculation maybe required. Where any feature of the plans is found contrary to the applicable PRS Rules, the Shipowner will be advised accordingly and if necessary modifications are to be carried-out as a condition for classification.

Stage 4	The Shipowner submits the five (5) plans and documents mentioned in stage 3, and schedules the ship for initial survey, advising PRS of the date and place where the survey is to be carried out. The Shipowner must ensure that the ship is place on drydock or slipway and will be available for a sufficient length of time to enable the surveyor to thoroughly examine the vessel to the full requirements of the PRS Rules and Regulations for the Construction and Classification of Steel Vessels 1989, specifically Section 2, Chapter B thereof. Special consideration may be given by PRS depending on the ship's general condition, type, date and records of the last drydocking.
	After the completion of the initial survey, PRS will formally advise the Shipowner of the findings of the surveyor. A Provisional Class Certificate maybe granted by PRS depending on the compliance of the Shipowner of all major recommendations by the surveyor and the result of the evaluation and deliberation of the PRS Classification Committee.

	Upon compliance of all pending requirements/recommendations of the surveyor, the Shipowner notifies (call, comes, write) PRS and request for confirmation survey and the presence of PRS surveyor to witness the ship's sea trial.
Stage 5	PRS surveyor verifies compliance of all pending requirements/recommendations, attends/witnesses the ship's sea trial and submits to the PRS Classification Committee his reports/findings and other relevant documents and other technical data taken from the performance of the ship during the sea trial.

Stage 6

The PRS Classification Committee meets, evaluates and deliberates on the recommendation of the PRS technical staff and the surveyor's reports and other relevant documents submitted and determines the ship's compliance with Class Rules and issuance of class certificate. If the committee's finding is favorable, the Committee assigns the ship's classification symbols, marks and notation and approves the issuance of a Full Term Class Certificate. The ship's classification symbols, marks and notation and other particulars are then entered in the PRS Registry Book. If the decision is to defer the issuance of a Full Term Class Certificate for whatever reason, the Shipowner will be advised accordingly.

PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPS TRANSFER OF CLASS TO PRS


The Regulations on surveys provided for in the PRS Rules and Regulations for the Construction and Classification of Steel Vessels 1989, specifically Section 2, Chapter B thereof, shall govern the transfer of class from other classification societies to PRS. How can Shipowners expeditiously attain transfer of class to PRS? The simplified procedure for transfer of a ship's class to PRS are divided into four (4) stages:

1. Submission of application by shipowner and signing of contract.
2. Submission of required essential plans for review and approval.
3. Actual survey of the ship which will depend on the type and age as well as the current classed status of the vessel as indicated on the previous Classification Society's records.
4. Documentation and issuance of PRS Class Certificate upon satisfactory completion of the above requirements.

Stage 1	Shipowners and other interested parties may call, come or write to PRS at its telephone numbers and address indicated in this website and will be promptly advised on the requirements. An Application Form for transfer of class is handily available at the PRS office for Shipowner to accomplish (the Application Form is also posted in the website and can be "downloaded" by interested parties to immediately avail of the same). Information as to the particulars of the ship, builder's name, date of built, type, propulsion machinery, gross and net tonnages, previous classification society and class records, unusual features, alterations if any, etc. may be asked and whether all required original and alteration plans are readily available as these are important requirements.
	Upon receipt of the duly accomplished Application Form, PRS prepares quotation for the transfer of class fee/terms of payments and conditions. If the Shipowner is agreeable, he signs a contract.
Stage 2	The Shipowner shall submit the required plans (in 3 copies each) and documents of the vessel as early as possible to give enough lead time for PRS to review the same.

What are the required plans and documents to be submitted?

	The same requirements as listed in Stage 3 of SHIPS ALREADY IN SERVICE (existing vessel).
Stage 3	Shipowner submits the five (5) plans and documents (as mentioned in Stage 3 of ships already in service) and schedules the initial survey for transfer of class advising PRS of the date and place where the survey is to take place. Shipowner must ensure that the ship will be available for a sufficient length of time in order for the survey to be completed. PRS will not issue any class certificate unless the ship is thoroughly inspected on drydock or slipway and Class Rules are met and substantially complied with. Special consideration maybe given depending on the general condition of the vessel, type, age, previous class records and the date of the last drydocking.
	Upon completion of the initial survey, PRS will formally advise the Shipowner on the findings of the surveyor.
Stage 4	Depending on the Shipowner's compliance of the surveyor's recommendations and the evaluation and deliberation of the PRS Classification Committee on the reports of the surveyor and the availability of previous class records and other relevant documents submitted by the Shipowner, the transfer of the ship's class maybe accepted in which case PRS may issue a Provisional Class Certificate or a Full Term Class Certificate, whichever is appropriate.

Shipowners applying for transfer of class to PRS are enjoined not to cancel/withdraw their ship's current class certificate from the issuing Classification Society until their ship's classification is finally accepted and a new class certificate is issued by PRS.

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