2 General requirements
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.854 – Guidelines for Shipboard Loading and Stability Computer Programs – (Adopted on 12 June 1998) - Annex - Guidelines for Shipboard Loading and Stability Computer Programs - 2 General requirements

2 General requirements

  2.1 Units: Basic stability calculations are performed using weights, typically Ltons or Mtons. However, some cargoes are more commonly measured in short tons, TEUs, or barrels. Other liquid loads (fuel and ballast) might be initially measured as soundings or ullages. The program developer may wish to make its program more convenient for the user to enter data in these alternate units. If so, the program should minimize chances for unit confusion and, wherever possible, weight conversions should be calculated by the computer. Screen displays and print-outs should then present both the entered value and the computational weight value side-by-side.

  2.2 Data and program protection: Although the program should be flexible enough to allow the user to override default data, certain data, such as lightship characteristics, allowable bending stress, required GM, as well as the program itself, should be protected against user revision. This could be achieved by furnishing the ship with compiled or read-only versions.

  2.3 Back-up of data: Copies of all constant data residing in computer files, such as ship geometry and tables, should be available on independent storage units, such as tape of floppy disks. The number of such copies should not be less than two.

Parent topic: Annex - Guidelines for Shipboard Loading and Stability Computer Programs
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