PREVIOUS | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT

General Standards relating to the Design, Construction and Operational Safety Certification of Air Cushion Vehicles (A.C.V's) in Canada.

101. Introduction.

These Standards define the requirements to be complied with in order than an A.C.V. to which they apply (See Sections 01 and 05) may be considered for certification in Canada.

A.C.V's which are designed and constructed in compliance with these Standards will be eligible for certification subject to either:-

1. Approval of design and supervision of construction and trials by surveyors, or
   
   
2. Approval of design by surveyors, and supervision of construction and trials by an approved organization (see 103 below).

Procedure (a) will normally be followed for all vehicles being designed or constructed in Canada for the first time, and for constructors who do not have an approved organization.

Procedure (b) may be followed by a constructor with an approved organization for series production vehicles essentially identical to a previously certified prototype.

102. Design and Construction Controls.

In making initial submissions relating to a proposed A.C.V. development, persons or organizations responsible for each of the design and construction aspects should be clearly identified, and an effective liaison should be established between them.

In companies which include an approved organization, that organization should be responsible for ensuring adequate design-construction liaison in order to maintain appropriate standards.

103. Approved Organizations.

Companies wishing to be considered for approval of vehicle series production under the supervision of their own organization will be required to submit a comprehensive plan for approval. This plan should include the names and qualifications of key design, construction and inspection personnel, and an outline of the procedures to be established to ensure compliance with these Standards.

104. General Standards.

Where appropriate, generally recognized methods and standards for design calculations, drawings, construction materials and processes, and for testing should be used and identified. While CGSB standards are preferred, other recognized standards may be used if they are appropriate and do not result in a lesser level of safety. Any submission which do not meet with this requirement may be rejected without further consideration until corrected.

105. Reciprocity.

Vehicles or vehicle designs which have been approved or certified by authorities of other Administration may receive Canadian approval insofar as the previous approval or certification is commensurate with these Standards. Full details of the previous approval or certification, and the standard to which it relates, will be required.

106. Responsibility.

It is the responsibility of the designer, constructor, owner or operator as appropriate to seek approval, certification or licensing required. All enquiries should be addressed to:-

Superintendent Special Ships,
Design and Construction Approval Division,
Ship Safety Branch,
Canadian Coast Guard,
Transport Canada,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N7

107. Equivalencies.

It is the intent that all A.C.V's requiring certification approval shall comply as closely as practicable to all applicable requirements of this Standard. Where substitution of an alternative fitting, material or component, or an alternative means of compliance is proposed, substantiating evidence to show that the alternative is at least as effective in providing safety as that required by this Standard is to be submitted for consideration of approval.

108. Construction and Equipment Standards.

Specialized methods of construction and specialized items of equipment used in A.C.V's, but which are not exclusive to A.C.V's, shall comply with the requirements of applicable standards, codes or regulations and the appropriate approval procedures. Reference to such requirements is made in the text, and examples of such standards are given in Paragraph 07.

PREVIOUS | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT