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Vessel Information Structure (VIS)

DNV’s naming standard utilizes the Vessel Information Structures (VIS) - an information model created and maintained by DNV since 2005 to support classification services.

The VIS provides the master information used as basis for the classification processes in DNV. An important part of the VIS is the Generic product model (Gmod), a functionally oriented model describing the vessel. The Gmod and its use in the classification processes is described in Vindøy (2008). Link to PDF on site- see below.

The Gmod provides​

  • a functional breakdown of the vessel
  • a library of product types that may be installed on the vessel, and a functional breakdown of these
  • unique codes and names for all items
  • allowable assignments between functions and product types

Based on the Gmod, unique vessel specific product models (Pmods) may be set up by a partly automatic and partly manual process.

The Gmod is intended to cover​

  • All types of vessels subject to classification by DNV
  • All vessel lifecycle phases
  • All product types with a classification scope installed on board classed vessels
  • All regulatory regimes relevant for classification
  • All engineering disciplines

The Gmod is based on 7 principles​

  • The functional breakdown of the vessel is set up as a hierarchy, with 14 level 1 vessel functions, currently totally 2883 functions. The coding of the vessel functions is based on the inherent hierarchy of the decimal system. All vessel function names are globally unique.
  • A library of product types is provided, currently comprising 773 items. The product types are grouped according to their associated engineering discipline. The codes of the product types start with the discipline code followed by a number. All product type names are globally unique.
  • Product types may be given a functional breakdown based on the same principles as used for the vessel. Currently, 2727 product functions are defined. The codes of the product functions start with the code of the product type, followed by a hierarchical number based on the decimal system. Product function names are unique in the context of the product type.
  • Allowable assignments between functions and product types are set up. This applies to vessel functions and to product functions.
  • In some cases, more than one product type may be assigned to a function. This is covered by the concept Product selection, a set of product types from which the wanted product type may be selected.
  • In some cases, selectable branches are set up in the function hierarchies. This is covered by the concept Function selection.
  • Some functions are commonly set up in multiples, e.g. a vessel will normally have more than one fuel oil pump. Such functions are set up to be individualised, and the function code is appended by an i.