Stability guidelines and loadline information has been updated:
Introduction
This guide covers the UK and international codes and standards for vessel stability and loadlines, stability approval, stability information books, and stability guidance - grouped according to vessel type.
It is aimed at boatmasters assessing vessel stability, vessel designers and shipbuilders. The guide also includes advice on maintaining safety on board your vessel, guidance for surveyors, and how you can comply with the regulations.
Load lines, marks and load line certificates
Ship stability is underpinned by the UK’s load line regime, which imposes requirements on certain ships to meet stability criteria. Ships conforming with the load line requirements are issued with certificates, and no ship to which the load line requirements applies may proceed to sea without a valid certificate.
Load line certificates are issued by MCA surveyors. However, vessel owners and masters should be involved with the periodical inspection of vessels. Find guidance on load line certificates for surveyors.
Load line regulations
The Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Regulations 1998 are the UK’s legislation on loadline. Find the Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Regulations 1998.
The Merchant Shipping (Load Line) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 amends the load line requirements for different types of vessels, operating in varying seasonal zones and periods. Read MSN 1752 Amended Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Regulations 1998
How to record freeboard information in log books
Masters of Ro-Ro passenger vessels must record data on freeboard, stability and recording of draughts in their official log books.
Access of water through spurling pipes
Specific guidance has been issued to vessel masters to ensure that excess water cannot access the vessel through the spurling pipes - apertures allowing anchor chains to enter chain lockers through the forecastle deck. Read MSN 622 Miscellaneous openings: spurling pipes
Specific freeboard and stability guidance according to vessel type
Guidance for marine surveyors assessing passenger vessel construction has been produced by the MCA. Read the Merchant Shipping (Ro-Ro Passenger Ships) (Stability) Regulations 2004.
Ro-Ro passenger vessels
Ro-Ro passenger vessels must meet the survivability requirements - eg time required for the evacuation of everyone on board - agreed as part of the 1995 amendments to the SOLAS convention (the ‘Stockholm Agreement’). Read the Merchant Shipping (Ro-Ro Passenger Ships) (Stability) Regulations 2004.
The MCA document MSN 1790 (M) explains how EU Directive 2003/25/EC has been incorporated into UK law, in the form of the Merchant Shipping (Ro-Ro Passenger Ships) (Stability) Regulations 2004.Read MSN 1790 Stability requirements for ro-ro passenger ships
There are specific stability requirements for Ro-Ro passenger ships. Read the Merchant Shipping (Ro-Ro Passenger Ships) (Stability) Regulations 2004.
The MCA has published dynamic stability modelling guidance for designers of high-speed craft. Read MGN 327(M) High speed craft dynamic stability research
Bulk Carriers
Bulk carriers of 150 metres’ length and above, carrying high-density dry bulk cargoes, must meet additional safety measures. Read MGN 668 (M) Amendment 1: Additional safety measures for bulk carriers
The hardware and software of hull stress monitoring systems must be approved by the MCA or by a nominated body, such as a classification society. Read MGN 108 (M) Hull stress monitoring systems
Precautions against flooding of forward compartments - particularly for bulk carriers - are set out in the MCA document MGN 210 (M). Read MGN 210 (M)
Cargo vessels of 80 metres and over
MSN 1715 (M) outlines damage stability requirements for cargo vessels of 80 metres and above, aimed at shipbuilders, marine architects and masters. Read 1715 part 1.doc
Stability approval by classification societies
The MCA has agreements with Classification Societies so that they may carry out surveys of vessel stability as part of the safety certification process. For more information, see the guide on how to prepare and apply for a vessel survey.
Before construction of a vessel begins, the owner must submit structural plans of the hull, subdivisions, bulkheads and construction materials to the relevant society. Read Stability guidance and load lines
Owners of certain vessels must also submit stability calculations to classification societies to prove the vessel meets the damage stability requirements outlined in the MCA’s MSN 1698 (M). Read MSN 1698 (M) The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction: Ships of Classes I, II and II(A) Regulations 1998 - SI 1998/2514)
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