Get a plain-English read of 9

Turn the raw legal text into a practical explanation grounded in Marine Orders - Part 50: Special purpose ships, Issue 5 (Order No. 12 of 2009).

9 Existing and small ships

9.1 In 9.2, existing ship means a ship constructed before 1 May 1987, but does not include a ship that, after 1 May 1987, undergoes substantial conversion, including a structural alteration or modification that:

(a) changes the length, breadth or least moulded depth of the ship;
(b) substantially extends the ship's expected service life;
(c) facilitates a change in the use or intended use of the ship; or
(d) changes the ship's gross tonnage by more than 10 per cent.

9.2 An existing ship or a ship of less than 500 gross tonnage is deemed to be in compliance with this Part provided such a ship complies with the Code to the extent that the Manager, Ship Inspections, considers reasonable and practical, having regard to the ship, its equipment and its intended operations.

9.3 Special purpose ships constructed after 1 May 1987 but before 1 January 2010 need not comply with this Order, Marine Orders Part 50, Issue 5 but must comply with the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships adopted by virtue of resolution A.534(13) and amended by MSC.183(79) and MSC/Cir.739.

Note Special purpose ships constructed before 1 January 2010 and issued with a Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate in compliance with the provisions of the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships 2008 as adopted by MSC.266(84) shall be acceptable for the purpose of Issue 5 of this Part.