Foreword (1 July 2017) This Guide is the fifth edition of the Guide for Nondestructive Inspection of Hull Welds@ which was originally published in 1975 and subsequently updated in 1986 and 2002 (the second and third editions). The 2011 revision introduced further details of inspection criteria and additional inspection techniques@ which are considered as being widely recognized by the industry as a reliable means of inspection of structure members and their welds during the construction of surface vessels and other related marine and offshore structures. The 2017 edition incorporates a new Section 4 with criteria for Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT). PAUT is currently in use in shipyards and offshore structures across the world@ as it decreases inspection time. PAUT can replace UT in many applications. Additionally@ Sections 1 and 3 have been updated to incorporate aspects of Section 4. It is intended that this Guide for test procedures and criteria is to be published as a Guide@ rather than Rules@ in order to collect more feedback from industry during its use and be able to reflect this feedback back into the Guide in a timely manner. Upon completion of this further calibration period@ the Guide is to be published as the Rules for Nondestructive Inspection of Hull Welds. This Guide becomes effective on the first day of the month of publication. Users are advised to check periodically on the ABS website www.eagle.org to verify that this version of this Guide is the most current. We welcome your feedback. Comments or suggestions can be sent electronically by email to rsd@eagle.org.