Classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) is launching a fully updated set of classification rules for yachts and megayachts.
The rules cover design approval, material and equipment certification and construction surveillance at the yard for single yacht building or for production in large series following an alternative survey scheme. Motor and sailing yachts of mono- or multi-hull type, built in steel, aluminium alloys or composite materials are covered. A major addition is a set of standards applicable to very large charter yachts and yachts with over 12 passengers. These standards bridge the gap between international conventions applying to passenger ships and yacht industry standards.
The new rules update BV's 2006 Yacht Rules and incorporate feedback in service of yachts built to those rules. They also include additional class notations covering comfort on board, operation in ice, and helicopter facilities. BV has also developed a specialised software package, which is dedicated to the calculation of yacht structures built in composite materials, which is linked to the new Rules.
The new rules also contain appropriate technical standards for large charter yachts over 500 UMS and/or yachts carrying passengers, which fall into the category of passenger ships under International Conventions such as SOLAS. The rules develop a new set of requirements, close to the international conventions but customised to the yacht industry standards. These requirements cover hull construction materials including the use of composite materials, stability criteria and damage stability, emergency sources of electricity power equipment and fire safety equipment.
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