This new Guide was recently developed by American Bureau of Shipping for the Classification of Liftboats and specifies the requirements for design, construction and survey after construction of the Liftboat for use by designers, builders, owners and operators in the offshore industry. A liftboat is a self-propelled, self-elevating vessel with a relatively large open deck capable of carrying equipment and supplies in support of various offshore mineral exploration and production or offshore construction activities. A liftboat also has the capability of rapidly raising its hull clear of the water on its own legs so as to provide a stable platform from which maintenance and construction work may be conducted.

The Guide includes requirements for hull structure, equipment, and machinery systems and is applicable to self-propelled steel liftboats intended for unrestricted service. It became effective immediately after its publication in August. The Guide makes reference to the Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels, the Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 meters (295 feet) in Length and the Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units. ABS will consider special arrangements or details of hull, equipment or machinery which can be shown to comply with standards recognized in the country in which the liftboat is registered or built, provided they are not less effective.