Chapter 12 - Freeboard
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Statutory Documents - MCA Publications - Yacht Code - January 2019 Edition - Part A - Large Yacht Code (up to 12 passengers) - Chapter 12 - Freeboard

Chapter 12 - Freeboard

Objective: The purpose of this Chapter is to ensure that all vessels are assigned a freeboard in accordance with the International Convention on Load Lines (1966)footnote. This section also outlines the requirements for draught marks to enable trim to be readily calculated.

12.1 General Requirements

(1) The freeboard for the vessel and its marking shall be approved by the Assigning Authority for the assignment of freeboard and issue of the International Load Line Certificate (1966).

(2) Vessels shall comply with International Convention on Load Lines (1966) for the assignment of a freeboard mark which corresponds to the deepest loading condition included in the stability information booklet for the vessel.

(3) The freeboard assigned shall be compatible with the strength of hull structure, intact and damage stability requirements for the vessel, and shall ensure that minimum bow height requirements of the International Convention on Load Lines (1966) are met.

(4) The Assigning Authority shall provide the Company of the vessel with a copy of the particulars of the freeboard assigned and a copy of the record of particulars relating to the conditions of assignment.

12.2 Freeboard Mark and Loading

(1) The freeboard mark applied shall be positioned port and starboard at amidships on the load line length and may be an all-seasons mark. The mark shall be a permanent disc and be of contrasting colour to the hull of the vessel in way of the mark.

(2) The fresh water freeboard allowance shall be obtained by deducting from the all-seasons freeboard assigned, the quantity

  • where:-

  • Δ = displacement in salt water in tonnes at the all-seasons draught

  • T = tonnes per centimetres immersion at the all seasons load waterline

  • Alternatively the deduction may be taken as 1/48th of the all-seasons draught of the ship at amidships.

(3) A vessel shall not operate in any condition which shall result in its appropriate freeboard marks being submerged when it is at rest and upright in calm water.

12.3 Datum Draught Marks

(1) Datum draught marks shall be provided at the bow and stern, port and starboard, and be adequate for assessing the condition and trim of the vessel. Such draught marks may be single datum lines.

(2) The marks shall be permanent and easily read but need not be of contrasting colour to the hull. The marks need not indicate more than one draught at each position and shall be above, but within 1000 millimetres, of the deepest load waterline.

(3) The draught to which marks relate shall be indicated either above the mark on the hull and/or in the stability information booklet for the vessel. The position of the marks shall be verified at initial placement by the Administration or the vessel’s Assigning Authority.

12.4 Additional Equivalence Considerations

(1) None

Parent topic: Part A - Large Yacht Code (up to 12 passengers)
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