Lloyd's Register Rules and Regulations

Through recent digtisation, Lloyd’s Register Foundation Heritage & Education Centre (HEC) have made available the Lloyd’s Register Rules and Regulations, dating from 1849 until 1976 for free, online viewing.  

What are the Rules and Regulations? 

Lloyd's Register's Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships were first published in 1834 (initially bound within the Register Book) to set appropriate standards for the design, construction and lifetime maintenance of ships.  

The Rules have been published in various forms throughout Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) history and have played an essential role in assuring the safety and quality of the construction and maintenance of ships and been a constant companion to thousands of surveyors, shipowners, and shipbuilders across the globe.    

The rules offer a fascinating insight into when and how technological developments made their way into the maritime industry.   

Today, the LR Rules are still recognised as one of the most comprehensive and respected sets of standards in the maritime industry. To keep pace with changes in technology, market trends and new legislation, Lloyd's Register is dedicated to an on-going programme of research and development to enhance existing technical standards and publish new Rules.

Find out more about the history of the Lloyd's Register Rules and Regulations in our blog or listen to the Mariner's Mirror episode below.

Explore this newly digitised resource below. For more information on the year of publication of specific LR Rules see our Research guides page.