It was in the early 1970's that our two organizations agreed on cooperative for United States flag vessels that were both classed by ABS and certified by the Coast Guard. In 1972 an agreement was upon receipt of ABS approved hull structural p:ans. In 1973 a second agreement provided for ABS to expedite its approval action upon receipt of Coast Guard approved plans for machinery and electrical systems These agreements simplified procedures for plan review by eliminationg the need for redundant reviews. This arrangement proved to be effective and advantageous, not only far ABS and the Coast Guard, but for the industry as well.
As the 1970's progressed the Coast Guard experienced additional demands placed upon their various services such that their resources were increasingly taxed. Accordingly, consideration was given to the areas where ABS could be of assistance in assuming some of the Coast Guard burden. .After a period of careful and detailed study, ARS and the Coast Guard agreed on the first Memorandum of Understanding which was a .ogical extension of -he two earlier arrangements for plan review.
The Memorandum (MOUI), effective in August of 1981, provided for Coast Guard acceptance of ABS plan review and inspection of various items on new United States flag vessels built to Coast Guard certification and ABS classification. Basically, the items covered included the hull structures of conventional ships, mobile offshore drilling units and barges; inert gas and crude oil washing systems; propellers, steering gear, anchors and mooring systems; and certain piping.
This memorandum from the outset was considered an interim document, for both ABS and the Coast Guard envisioned other areas to which cooperative efforts could be extended. 'This, in fact, was the case.
In February of 1982, another Memorandum of Understanding was executed between the two organizations which designated ABS as an alternate tonnage measurement authority. ABS was authorized to perform tonnage measurement services on documented vessels and ABS Certificates of Admeasurement would be accepted by the Coast Guard.
Both of these basic Memoranda of Understanding were revised and expanded in the 1980's. The Plan Review and Inspection MOU was broadened in 1982 to include additional machinery items, electrical equipment and systems, piping systems and streamlined submittal procedures.
