MODU Code: Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, Consolidated Edition 2001 (KA811E)

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) adopted amendments to the 1989 MODU Code in May 1991 and decided that, to maintain compatibility with SOLAS, the amendments should become effective on 1 February 1992. Further amendments were adopted in May 1994, to introduce the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) into the Code, provide guidelines for vessels with dynamic positioning systems and introduce provisions for helicopter facilities. The Committee decided that the amendments introducing the HSSC should become effective on the same date as the 1988 SOLAS and Load Line Protocols relating to the HSSC (i.e. 3 February 2000), and that those providing guidelines for vessels with dynamic positioning systems and provisions for helicopter facilities should become effective on 1 July 1994.

This publication supersedes the 1979 edition and contains a consolidated text of the 1989 MODU Code and the 1991 and 1994 amendments.

IMO Code: KA811E

Preamble

1 This Code has been developed to provide an international standard for mobile offshore drilling units of new construction which will facilitate the international movement and operation of these units and ensure a level of safety for such units, and for personnel on board, equivalent to that required by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, and the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as amended, for conventional ships engaged on international voyages.

2 Throughout the development of the Code, it was recognized that it must be based upon sound design and engineering principles and experience gained from operating such units; it was further recognized that design technology of mobile offshore drilling units is not only a complex technology but is rapidly evolving and that the Code should not remain static but be re-evaluated and revised as necessary. To this end the Organization will periodically review the Code, taking into account both experience and future development.

3 Any existing unit which complies with the provisions of this Code should be considered eligible for issuance of a certificate in accordance with this Code.

4 The Code is not intended to prohibit the use of an existing unit simply because its design, construction and equipment do not conform to the requirements of this Code. Many existing mobile offshore drilling units have operated successfully and safely for extended periods of time and their operating history should be considered in evaluating their suitability to conduct international operations.

5 The coastal State may permit any unit designed to a lower standard than that of the Code to engage in operations having taken account of the local environmental conditions. Any such unit should, however, comply with safety requirements which in the opinion of the coastal State are adequate for the intended operation and ensure the overall safety of the unit and the personnel on board.

6 The Code does not include requirements for the drilling of subsea wells or the procedures for their control. Such drilling operations are subject to control by the coastal State.

Preamble
Chapter 1 – General
1.1 Purpose
1.2 Application
1.3 Definitions
1.4 Exemptions
1.5 Equivalents
1.6 Surveys and certification
1.7 Control
1.8 Casualties
1.9 Review of the Code

Chapter 2 – Construction, strength and materials
2.1 General
2.2 Design loads
2.3 Structural analysis
2.4 Special considerations for surface units
2.5 Special considerations for self-elevating units
2.6 Special considerations for column-stabilized units
2.7 Fatigue analysis
2.8 Materials
2.9 Construction portfolio
2.10 Welding
2.11 Testing

Chapter 3 – Subdivision, stability and freeboard
3.1 Inclining test
3.2 Righting moment and heeling moment curves
3.3 Intact stability criteria
3.4 Subdivision and damage stability
3.5 Extent of damage
3.6 Watertight integrity
3.7 Freeboard

Chapter 4 – Machinery installations for all types of units
4.1 General
4.2 Machinery requirements
4.3 Steam boilers and boiler feed systems
4.4 Steam pipe systems
4.5 Machinery controls
4.6 Air pressure systems
4.7 Arrangements for oil fuel, lubricating oil and other flammable oils
4.8 Bilge pumping arrangements
4.9 Ballast pumping arrangements on column-stabilized units
4.10 Protection against flooding
4.11 Anchoring arrangements for surface and column–stabilized units
4.12 Dynamic positioning systems

Chapter 5 – Electrical installations for all types of units
5.1 General
5.2 Main source of electrical power
5.3 Emergency source of electrical power
5.4 Starting arrangements for emergency generators
5.5 Precautions against shock, fire and other hazards of electrical origin
5.6 Internal communication

Chapter 6 – Machinery and electrical installations in hazardous areas for all types of units
6.1 Zones
6.2 Classification of hazardous areas
6.3 Openings, access and ventilation conditions affecting the extent of hazardous areas
6.4 Ventilation of spaces
6.5 Emergency conditions due to drilling operations
6.6 Electrical installations in hazardous areas
6.7 Machinery installations in hazardous areas

Chapter 7 – Machinery and electrical installations for self-propelled units
7.1 General
7.2 Means of going astern
7.3 Steam boilers and boiler feed systems
7.4 Machinery controls
7.5 Steering gear
7.6 Electric and electrohydraulic steering gear
7.7 Communication between the navigating bridge and the engine-room
7.8 Engineers’ alarm
7.9 Main source of electrical power
7.10 Emergency source of electrical power

Chapter 8 – Periodically unattended machinery spaces for all types of unit
8.1 General
8.2 Application
8.3 Fire safety
8.4 Protection against flooding
8.5 Bridge control of propulsion machinery
8.6 Communication
8.7 Alarm system
8.8 Special requirements for machinery, boiler and electrical installations
8.9 Safety systems

Chapter 9 – Fire safety
9.1 Structural fire protection
9.2 Protection of accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations
9.3 Means of escape
9.4 Fire pumps, fire mains, hydrants and hoses
9.5 Fire-extinguishing systems in machinery spaces and in spaces containing fired processes
9.6 Portable fire extinguishers in accommodation, service and working spaces
9.7 Fire detection and alarm system
9.8 Gas detection and alarm system
9.9 Fireman’s outfits
9.10 Arrangements in machinery and working spaces
9.11 Provisions for helicopter facilities
9.12 Storage of gas cylinders
9.13 Miscellaneous items

Chapter 10 – Life saving appliances and equipment
10.1 General
10.2 Survival craft
10.3 Survival craft muster and embarkation arrangements
10.4 Survival craft launching stations
10.5 Stowage of survival craft
10.6 Survival craft launching and recovery arrangements
10.7 Rescue boats
10.8 Stowage of rescue boats
10.9 Rescue boat embarkation, launching and recovery arrangements
10.10 Lifejackets
10.11 Immersion suits
10.12 Lifebuoys
10.13 Radio life-saving appliances
10.14 Distress flares
10.15 Line-throwing appliances
10.16 Emergency warnings
10.17 Operating instructions
10.18 Operational readiness, maintenance and inspections

Chapter 11 – Radiocommunication installations
11.1 Application
11.2 General
11.3 Self-propelled units under way
11.4 Units when towed, or self-propelled and accompanied by escort ships
11.5 Units stationary at the site or engaged in drilling operations
11.6 Helicopter communications
11.7 Internal communications
11.8 Performance standards
11.9 Gas explosion danger
11.10 Survey of the radio station

Chapter 12 – Lifting devices
12.1 Cranes
12.2 Personnel lifts
12.3 Drilling derricks

Chapter 13 – Helicopter facilities
13.1 General
13.2 Definitions
13.3 Construction
13.4 Arrangements
13.5 Visual aids

Chapter 14 – Operating requirements
14.1 Operating manuals
14.2 Dangerous goods
14.3 Pollution prevention
14.4 Towing
14.5 Transfer of material, equipment or personnel
14.6 Diving systems
14.7 Safety of navigation
14.8 Emergency procedures
14.9 Emergency instructions
14.10 Training manuals
14.11 Practice musters and drills
14.12 On-board training and instructions
14.13 Records

Appendix

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In other words, its role is to create a level playing field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.

Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.