1. This Code has been assembled to provide, in
a single document, recommended provisions relating to intact stability,
based primarily on existing IMO instruments. Where recommendations
in this Code appear to differ from other IMO Codes, such as the MODU
Code or the DSC Code, the other Codes should be taken as the prevailing
instrument. For the sake of completeness and for the convenience of
the user, this Code also contains relevant provisions from mandatory
IMO instruments. Such requirements have been identified with an asterisk.
However, in all cases, the authoritative text for requirements is
contained in the mandatory instruments.
2. Criteria included in the Code are based on
the best “state of art” concepts taking into account sound
design and engineering principles and experience gained from operating
such ships. Furthermore, design technology for modern ships is rapidly
evolving and the Code should not remain static but be re-evaluated
and revised, as necessary. To this end, the Organization will periodically
review the Code taking into consideration both experience and further
development.
3. Throughout the development of the Code it was
recognized that in view of a wide variety of types, sizes of ships
and their operating and environmental conditions, problems of safety
against accidents related to stability have generally not yet been
solved. In particular, the safety of a ship in a seaway involves complex
hydrodynamic phenomena which up to now have not been adequately investigated
and understood. Ships in a seaway should be treated as a dynamical
system and relationships between ship and environmental conditions
like wave and wind excitations are recognized as extremely important
elements. It is recognized that development of stability criteria,
based on hydrodynamic aspects and stability analysis of a ship in
a seaway, poses, at present, complex problems which require further
research.