"Introduction The year 2011 edition of the Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels is a complete reprint of the 2010 edition@ consisting of the eleven (11) booklets as shown in Table 1. In this regard@ we would bring the following to the user's attention: a) The purpose of the generic title ABS Rules for Conditions of Classification (Part 1) is to reflect the expanded contents of PART 1@ as a result of including consolidated requirements for ""Classification"" applicable to all types of and sizes of vessels@ barges and specific shipboard arrangements/systems@ etc.@ except for those in offshore service@ as specified in the Foreword to Part 1. b) The purpose of the generic title ABS Rules for Materials and Welding (Part 2) of PART 2 is to emphasize the common applicability of the requirements to ABS-classed vessels@ other marine structures and their associated machinery@ and thereby make PART 2 more readily a common ""PART"" of various ABS Rules and Guides@ as appropriate. c) The purpose of the generic title ABS Rules for Survey After Construction (Part 7) is to reflect the expanded contents of PART 7@ as a result of including consolidated requirements for ""Surveys After Construction"" applicable to all types and sizes of vessels@ barges and specific shipboard arrangements/systems@ etc.@ as specified in Part 7@ Chapter 1@ Section 1."