Loss Prevention 02 Feb, 2026 Onboard Repairs: Why Class and Statutory Compliance Matters Dmitry Kisil Senior Loss Prevention Officer Onboard repairs, either planned or in case of an emergency following an equipment breakdown or a structural damage, are a practical necessity of ship operations. However, recent experience continues to show that unapproved or poorly managed and executed repairs can lead to classification and statutory noncompliance, with serious implications for P&I cover. In today’s regulatory environment, the margin for error is smaller than ever. Download PDF Onboard repairs: A Continuing Obligation Shipowners remain responsible for: Maintaining the vessel in compliance with Class rules and statutory requirements at all times Notifying Class immediately of damage affecting: Hull structure Watertight integrity Propulsion, steering, or essential systems Repairs undertaken without Class knowledge or attendance may result in suspension of class, which can invalidate insurance cover regardless of intent. While the principles remain unchanged, IACS technical standards are advancing. For example, starting from 01 Jan 2027 welding procedures will have to comply with revised Unified Requirements UR W28 Rev.3. These changes enhance control over welding quality and introduce additional information for flexibility and guidance which raise the bar for repair quality. The repairs are increasingly scrutinised for fitness for service and compliance with recognised standards. IACS Recommendation No. 47 (Rev.10 Corr.1, Oct 2025) provides quality standards for shipbuilding and repairs where no recognised national or shipbuilding standards exist. IACS UR Z13 mandates that voyage repairs affecting class must be planned in advance, approved by the Classification Society, and supervised by a surveyor. Emergency repairs must be logged and reported promptly. Failure to comply can lead to Class suspension and consequently to insurance disputes. In practice, this means th