| Current technology, properly
applied with additional administrative and operational controls, allows
for the underwater bodies of vessels to be examined while the vessel remains
in the water. Underwater examinations using video equipment have been accepted
by the Coast Guard as a means of verifying the continuing acceptability
of the structure of large mobile offshore drilling units, tank vessels,
cargo and miscellaneous vessels and oceanographic research vessels that
are less than 15 years of age.
There is now regulations which allow underwater hull surveys in lieu of drydock examinations for small passenger vessels too. Underwater surveys are optional means to examine the underwater body of a vessel and is considered a reasonable alternative to permit owners/operators to alternate drydockings with underwater surveys. For instance, a vessel in salt water service is required to drydock every two years. Upon being accepted into this program, the vessel would drydock every four years and undergo underwater surveys every other two year period. |
