Naval submarine assurance Assurance solutions for naval submarines from Lloyd’s Register
Lloyd’s Register (LR) is the world’s leading classification society for naval surface ships. We publish and implement requirements for all surface ship types, from offshore patrol vessels to aircraft carriers. With over 250 years experience in marine design and survey, we are at the forefront of naval technology – experience we also apply to naval submarines. Our expertise has evolved from the first nuclear submarines, such as HMS Dreadnought, to construction and maintenance of today’s modern submarines, and spans long-standing and successful commercial Submersible Rules, classification of deep submergence rescue vehicles, and the new Naval Submarine Code. Our capabilities and solutions Our experience covers all engineering submarine disciplines, from design and build, through operation and maintenance, to decommissioning. The solutions we offer include: –– Verification that equipment technical specifications meet design requirements –– Equipment certification, including materials –– Weld procedure and welder certification –– Safety case or associated risk management studies
–– Support to submarine projects during the design phase –– Support to navies developing their own technical standards –– Condition assessments or life expectancy consultancy –– Structural assessments using our Applied Technology Group’s ‘SubSAS’ programme –– Full classification of submersibles against the Rules for Submersibles – includes manned submersibles used for recreation, underwater repairs and maintenance, or submarine rescue
–– Classification of complete submarine rescue systems that include submersible, launch and recovery arrangements, decompression chambers and associated support equipment –– Assessments and studies against the new Naval Submarine Code (see overleaf).
Image: The nuclear submarine HMS Vanguard alongside the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon. Photo: CPOA(Phot) Tam McDonald/MOD
Working together for a safer world
The Naval Submarine Code The most significant recent development for the design and assessment of naval submarines is the Naval Submarine Code. LR was heavily involved in developing the Code and we are currently providing secretariat services to the International Naval Safety Association (INSA) for its ongoing development. Our involvement means we can offer unrivalled expertise on the Code’s technical content and intention. Help with assessing designs against the Code We believe the Code provides the first holistic and goal-based information for assessing submarine designs. We are already helping clients assess the technical quality of their submarine designs against it. All stakeholders – navies, designers, operators, prospective purchasers and builders – can use the Code to demonstrate that an existing submarine or a proposed design complies with its functional objectives and performance requirements. Support for external Standards and Rules The Naval Submarine Code relies heavily on external input: it must be supported by Standards, Rules or other design mechanisms. We are developing the necessary technical documents and specifications to facilitate this. Being goal-based, the Code allows the effectiveness of these supporting Standards and Rules to be measured. Standards for submarines are extremely technical, and difficult to develop and maintain. LR can help navies, designers and operators assess and update existing or proposed standards, or provide replacement Lloyd’s Register Rules.
HMS Ambush, an Astute-class nuclear fleet submarine of the Royal Navy. Crown Copyright 2012.
“We can help clients assess the technical quality of their submarine designs against the new Naval Submarine Code.”
For more information about how we can help you with your naval submarine projects, and with the Naval Submarine Code, contact Jim Gorton at jim.gorton@lr.org or on +44 (0)1275 515014
www.lr.org September 2015 Lloyd’s Register and variants of it are trading names of Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Copyright © Lloyd’s Register Group Limited. 2015. A member of the Lloyd’s Register group.