Page 104: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 1999)

contractors and third party examiners several months before the ship's dry- dock anniversary date. The Policy Let- ter outlines the necessary qualifications and functions required to be performed by each.

There are more than 50 inspected casi- no vessels on inland waters, and numer- ous non-casino passenger vessels now eligible for this drydock extension pro- gram. Although about a dozen have par- ticipated so far, many casino vessels built in the mid-1990's are nearing their five-year drydock anniversary dates.

We expect that almost all eligible casi- no vessels will opt for this program.

Some non-casino passenger vessels will probably continue to use drydocks and may decide to enter the program as well.

This leads to the question of expansion of the program beyond its current restrictions, such as allowing passenger and casino vessels on limited Great

Lakes routes to participate. There are now four casino vessels operating on

Lake Michigan. Risk analyses are being conducted to determine whether under- water surveys can provide a safe alterna- tive to drydock examinations for these vessels. Looking ahead: could the pro- gram be expanded to coastwise passen- ger vessels? The precedent for allowing salt-water vessels to be inspected in the water exists with the NVIC 1-89. As confidence in the procedures grows and a history of safe, trouble-free operation after underwater surveys is developed, it is reasonable to assume that underwater surveys may be accepted as alternatives for drydock examinations of these ves- sels.

Andrew J. Lipman is a senior surveyor with

Marine Safety Experts, Inc. Clay A. Fust is a marine safety consultant, surveyor, and president of Marine Safety Experts, Inc. in Gary, Indiana.

Both authors have acted as Third Party Examiners for Special Drydock Extension Surveys in the past year. Marine Safety Experts, Inc. can be reached at 800 617 9288.

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