When construction has been completed, a new vessel undergoes sea trials attended by an ABS field surveyor.

The vessel is then presented to the ABS Classification Committee. The Committee, comprised of ABS Members drawn from the maritime industry, United States Coast Guard and ABS officers, assesses the vessel's compliance with the Rules based on their collective experience and recommendations from the ABS staff. When accepted by the Committee, the vessel receives its formal certification.

The vessel's classification information, characteristics and other particulars are then entered into the ABS Record, the electronic register of vessels classed by ABS, which is maintained and updated on the ABS web site.