4 Stability information and Certificate of Fitness.
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.406/Rev.1 – Guidelines on Interpretation of the IBC Code and the IGC Code and Guidelines for the Uniform Application of the Survival Requirements of the IBC and IGC Codes – (Adopted on 29 June 1990) - Guidelines for the Uniform Application of the Survival Requirements of the Bulk Chemical Code and the Gas Carrier Code(approved by the Maritime Safety Committee at its forty-second session, 1980) - 4 Stability information and Certificate of Fitness.

4 Stability information and Certificate of Fitness.

  4.1 With regard to loading conditions to be submitted to the Administration (exclusive of the loading conditions contained in loading and stability manual) the principal objective, at the stage of design evaluation, is that the Administration can satisfy itself that the calculations presented will cover all conditions of full and partial loading, including variations of either draught and trim. To achieve this objective the Administration may either:

  • .1 require a complete analysis of survival requirements over the full range of probable loading conditions; or

  • .2 undertake approval on the basis of service conditions proposed by the builder or owner, in which case the Certificate of Fitness should be endorsed for the conditions accepted.

  4.2 Particular attention should be paid to the provision of adequate stability data to enable the master to take into account accurately the effect of liquid heeling moments of the contents of undamaged tanks. These heeling moments vary with the specific gravity of the liquid and the percentage filling of the tanks and may change significantly in magnitude from condition to condition. Adequate information would include curves showing the variation of liquid heeling moment with the contents of each individual tank.

  4.3 In addition to the usual loading information required under intact stability requirements the master should be supplied with the following information pertaining to damage stability.

  • .1 data relative to loading and distribution of cargo and ballast necessary to ensure compliance with damage survival requirements;

  • .2 data relative to the ship's survival capabilities;

  • .3 a damage control drawing showing the position of important fittings and listing instructions for their control;

  • .4 data relating to the effect of free surface or liquid heeling moments of cargo tanks at all stages of filling;

  • .5 example calculations and standard blank forms to facilitate calculations.

  4.4 The following should be stated on the Certificate of Fitness:

  • .1 the deepest draught or least freeboard permitted for those loading conditions which require greater freeboard than the International Load Line Certificate (1966);

  • .2 the range of specific gravities of cargoes which may be carried, this relates to all cargoes;

  • .3 the particular cargo tanks in which certain ranges of specific gravities of cargoes may be carried, if relevant;

  • .4 details of fittings, valves etc., the control of which is essential for survival, together with instructions for control, operation and logging; and

  • .5 identification of required loading and stability manual.


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