This is the most rigorous of the orders and its use is intended only for those areas where
under-keel clearance is critical. Because under-keel clearance is critical a full sea floor
search is required and the size of the features to be detected by this search is deliberately kept
small. Since under-keel clearance is critical it is considered unlikely that Special Order
surveys will be conducted in waters deeper than 40 metres. Examples of areas that may
warrant Special Order surveys are: berthing areas, harbours and critical areas of shipping
channels.