Recognized External Specialists

Specialized Services in Support of Survey

The external specialist program is developed base on IACS UR Z17, Procedural Requirements for Service Suppliers. External Specialists offer a variety of highly specialized services such as gauging, testing, measuring and maintenance to support class and statutory surveys. These services are often provided at the request of equipment manufacturers, shipyards, and vessel and asset owners. It is a tool used by the ABS surveyor to aid in his or her decision to credit a survey onboard an ABS classed vessel. After a satisfactory demonstration of the service, ABS provides a certificate valid for three years providing recognition as an External Specialist.

Benefits of ABS External Specialist recognition

• Exposure and opportunity with a large share of the global marine and offshore fleets
• Demonstration of conformity to recognized industry standards
• Increased market visibility
• Searchable in the ABS External Specialist Database

Click here to begin the process of becoming and recognized External Specialist or to add a new service to your current recognition.

Logo Usage

ABS-recognized External Specialists are eligible to use the ABS recognized specialist logo. The logo can be requested directly from externalspecialist@eagle.org or from the port office that carried out the certification. The logo is to be used for marketing purposes in association with the service type that the specialist has a valid certification for.

Becoming an ABS-Recognized External Specialist

External Specialist Service Types

• Ambient Environmental Testing: Indoor Climate Testing, Lighting Testing, Noise Testing, Whole Body Vibration Testing
  
• Automatic Identification Systems Inspection, Performance Testing and Maintenance
• Coating Test Laboratory
• Condition Monitoring: Traditional Visit-Based Methods, Real-Time monitoring via a Remote Data Center
• Dropped Objects Inspection and Program Audits  
• ESP Hull Gauging
• Fire Extinguishing Systems Inspection/Maintenance
• Home Office and Agents ISO9001 Certification
• Hull Gauging
• In-Water Survey
• Inflatable Life Rafts, Inflatable Lifejackets, Hydrostatic Release Units, Inflatable Rescue Boats, Marine Evacuation Systems 
• In-Service Hull Stability Verification
• Inspection of Low Location Lighting Systems
• Inventory of Hazardous Materials
• Lifeboats, Launching Appliances, On-Load Release Gear, and Davit Launched Life Raft Automatic Release Hooks
• Measurement of Noise Level Onboard
• Non-Destructive Examination
• Offshore Facility Inspection/Monitoring
• Radio Communication Equipment Maintenance
• Remote Inspection Techniques: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Remote Operated Vehicles, Robotic Crawler, Unmanned Robotic Arm
• RO/RO Ships Door Examination
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Maintenance
• Shore-Based Maintenance of Satellite Emergency Position Radio Beacons
• Sound Pressure Level Measurement of Public Address & General Alarm Systems on Board Ships
• Tightness Testing of Closing Appliances with Ultrasonic Equipment
• Tightness Testing of Primary and Secondary Barriers of Gas Carriers with Membrane Cargo Containment Systems
• Underwater Noise Measurement
• Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) and Simplified VDRs Maintenance