Many units in the semi-submersible fleet have now reached such an age that their documented, minimum design fatigue life is either already exceeded, or will, in the very near future be exceeded. It is anticipated that these units will continue in their existing mode of operation for some time to come, and further, that some of these units will be considered as candidates for production units for benign waters, with the associated requirement for extended lifetimes. In the case of an existing unit continuing in the same mode of operation, the owner may require to document, to a potential client, or national authority, that the fatigue life of the unit is satisfactory. In the case of a unit being converted the requirement for such documentation will additinally be required by the Classification Society and the method described in this may be one way to document extended fatigue life for these units.
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