LLOYD's Register is to launch a new computer database system - Rulefinder - which will offer easy and immediate access to its classification rules and international statutory regulations plus national flag interpretations.
The system, which will be useful for ship builders, designers, LR's own plan-approval surveyors and field surveyors, promises to be the most comprehensive and user-friendly system yet devised.
''This system is a very powerful tool in the service of ever greater vigilance and safety,'' said Garry Beaumont, LR's chief ship surveyor.
''The core package that will be available during the second quarter of this year will guide users through the plethora of classification and statutory rules and regulations and will help the effectiveness and efficiency of surveys by providing all necessary data on one screen.'' Beyond that, the possibilities for customising the system to include clients' own requirement and interpretations were almost limitless, he said.
Ship operators and owners also could provide their company regulations for input into the system, he explained.
The system will include the Lloyd's Register Plan Appraisal System for Ships programs, enabling users to access these directly and perform rules calculations should they wish to do so.
The Rulefinder prototype, which is designed for use by people unfamiliar with computers, has been tested extensively for user-friendliness, with two experts in the field seconded to the development team.