A Risk-Informed Approach to Performance Assurance - Structural Integrity of Offshore Wind Turbines - page 70

73/78 (Prevention of Pollution from Ships), contain the safety and pollu-
tion prevention regulations. The nation of registry of a vessel, generally
referred to as the flag state, can supplement the IMO regulations with addi-
tional requirements. USCG has regulatory authority for vessels registered
in the United States. Regulations applicable to U.S.-flag vessels include
those of IMO as well as additional safety requirements incorporated into
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Nations at which a vessel is calling
(referred to as port states) may also implement inspection programs to
ensure compliance with international regulations.
The USCG's Alternative Compliance Program (ACP) allows pre-
approved classification societies, which are nongovernmental and private
rule development organizations, to inspect and certify vessels for compli-
ance 1 on behalf of USCG. These classification society rules go beyond the
safety and environmental regulations of IMO and cover many aspects of
the design, construction, and maintenance of the vessel.
Under the ACP, the international conventions, the rules of the classifi-
cation society acting on behalf of USCG, and a supplement to the rules are
applied as an alternative to the USCG regulations set forth in the CFR. The
supplement, which covers the gaps between the specific set of classification
society rules and the CFR, is audited (reviewed) for equivalency before a
classification society is authorized by USCG to administer the ACP. To
date, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Lloyd's Register, Det
Norske Veritas (DNV), and Germanischer Lloyd (GL) have received such
approval from USCG. USCG itself maintains a sufficient level of expertise
to audit (review) classification society rules for compliance with interna-
tional standards and the USGS regulations, to participate effectively in the
rulemaking processes at IMO, and to develop additional standards when
necessary.
Nearly all ships involved in international trade are “classed” by a recog-
nized classification society. A classed ship is one that has been determined
to conform with the classification society's rules. Classification is an expec-

1

Certain vessel types, such as towed barges, are not covered by the ACP. In such cases, vessels must
comply directly with the USCG regulations. USCG Navigation and Inspection Circular 10-82
authorizes USCG to delegate to the classification societies authority to verify compliance with
USCG regulations. Offshore fixed and floating structures are also not covered by the ACP.