The guidelines focus on the IACS Member Societies’ survey procedures but may also be useful in connection with survey/examination schemes of other regulatory bodies, owners and operators. The manual includes a review of survey preparation guidelines, which cover the safety aspects related to the performance of the survey, the necessary access facilities, and the preparation necessary before the surveys can be carried out.

The survey guidelines encompass the main structural areas of the hull where damages have been recorded, focusing on the main features of the structural items of each area.

An important feature of the manual is the section,providing examples of structural deterioration and damage related to each structural area, advising what to look for, possible cause, and recommended repair methods, when considered appropriate.

This manual has been developed using the best information currently available. It is intended only as guidance in support of the sound judgment of Surveyors, and is to be used at the Surveyors’ discretion.

Note: Throughout this publication reference is made to various IACS Unified Requirements (UR), Procedural Requirements (PR) and Recommendations. All URs, PRs and key recommendations are available from the IACS website.