CAP (Condition Assessment Program)

Ship's conditions can remain of a good level throughout their service lives if they are operated in an appropriate manner, the current state of construction and equipment of each ship or structure are clearly understood, and inspections and maintenance are carried out regularly and properly.

Ships should be surveyed periodically to verify that they are maintained in an acceptable condition in accordance with international conventions, the Rules of Classification societies, etc. Detailed ship conditions, however, can not usually be all assessed by the regular surveys. A detailed assessment of ship condition is very important for the owner's maintenance program through a ship's service life.

The NK Condition Assessment Program(CAP) is a specialized survey program which offers owners a detailed assessment of a ship's actual condition, based on strength evaluation, and fatigue strength analysis as well as a detailed on site systematic inspection of the hull, machinery and cargo systems. With the CAP, owners can be confident that they have an accurate assessment of the ships actual condition, especially as far as the condition compares with the normal Class requirements.

The CAP applies, in principle, to oil tankers ,chemical carriers and bulk carriers, though other types of ships may be covered, provided that the CAP is properly modified.

The CAP consists of two major parts. CAP-MACHINERY/CARGO SYSTEM can be applied in addition to CAP-HULL upon request.


(1) CAP-HULL (Condition Assessment for Hull Structures)
(2) CAP-MACHINERY/CARGO SYSTEM (Condition Assessment for Machinery and Cargo Systems)

The results of condition assessment are clearly identified using a rating system. The definitions corresponding to each rating are indicated below.

(1) CAP-HULL RATING

  • (a) Rating Level 1 : "Very Good Condition"
    Items examined and measured found with only superficial reductions from "as new" or current rule scantlings. No maintenance or repair required.
  • (b) Rating Level 2 : "Good Condition"
    Items examined and measured found to have deficiencies of a minor nature not requiring correction or repair and/or found to have all thicknesses significantly above class limits.
  • (c) Rating Level 3 : "Satisfactory Condition"
    Items examined and measured either found to have deficiencies, which do not require immediate corrective action, or found to have thicknesses, which although generally above class renewal levels, do exhibit substantial corrosion.
  • (d) Rating Level 4 : "Unsatisfactory Condition"
    Items examined and measured either found to have a deficiency or deficiencies which may affect the ship's potential to remain in class, or found to have, in some areas, thicknesses which are at or below the class renewal levels.

(2) CAP-MACHINERY/CARGO SYSTEM RATING

  • (a) Rating Grade 1 : "Very Good Condition"
    Items and systems examined and function tested, found with no deficiencies affecting safe operation and/or performance. Documentation and maintenance practices considered good. No maintenance or repair required.
  • (b) Rating Grade 2 : "Good Condition"
    Items and systems examined and function tested, found with some minor deficiencies which do not affect safe operation and/or normal performance.Documentation and maintenance practices considered adequate. No immediate maintenance or repair considered necessary.
  • (c) Rating Grade 3 : "Satisfactory Condition"
    Items and systems examined and function tested, found with deficiencies not affecting safe operation and/or performance. Documentation and maintenance practices considered to be of a minimum standard. Some maintenance and repair may be considered necessary.
  • (d) Rating Grade 4 : "Unsatisfactory Condition"
    Items and systems examined and function tested, found with deficiencies significantly affecting operation and/or performance. Documentation and maintenance practices considered inadequate.
    Maintenance and repair required to reinstate serviceability.

After the completion of the CAP, the certificate of CAP indicating the ship's comprehensive rating (Overall Rating for CAP-HULL and/or CAP-MACHINERY / CARGO SYSTEM) is issued.

Detailed assessment results and the relevant records shown below are attached to the certificate of CAP.

(1) CAP-HULL

  • (a) CAP-HULL rating for each structural group and strength evaluation
  • (b) Survey record
  • (c) Report for fatigue strength assessment
  • (d) Rating for corrosion protection systems of water ballast tanks and coated cargo tanks
  • (e) Photographic report
  • (f) Thickness measurement record

(2) CAP-MACHINERY/CARGO SYSTEM

  • (a) CAP-MACHINERY/CARGO SYSTEM rating for each item
  • (b) Survey record
  • (c) Photographic report