The freeboard, for a motor vessel whose stability has not
been assessed in conjunction with Sections 11.3.8
or 11.4.5, should be not less than that determined by the following
requirements:-
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12.2.2.1 Vessels which carry cargo or a combination
of passengers and cargo for which the cargo element does not exceed
1000kg.
A vessel, other than an inflatable or rigid inflatable boat
covered by Section 12.2.4, when fully loaded with cargo and non-cargo
deadweight items certificated to be carried (each person taken as
75kg) should be upright and:-
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.1 in the case of a vessel with a continuous watertight
weather deck in accordance with Section 4.3.1.1,
which is neither stepped or recessed or raised, have a freeboard measured
down from the lowest point of the weather deck of not less than 300
mm for vessels of 7 metres in length or under and not less than 750
mm for vessels of 18 metres in length or over. For a vessel of intermediate
length the freeboard should be determined by linear interpolation;
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.2 in the case of a vessel with a continuous watertight
weather deck in accordance with Section 4.3.1.2,
which may be stepped, recessed, or raised, have a freeboard measured
down from the lowest point of the weather deck, of not less than 200
mm for vessels of 7 metres in length or under and not less than 400
mm for vessels of 18 metres in length or over. For a vessel of intermediate
length the freeboard should be determined by linear interpolation.
The raised portion(s) of the watertight weather deck should extend
across the full breadth of the vessel and the average freeboard over
the length of the vessel should comply with .1 above for a vessel
with a continuous watertight weather deck;
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.3 in the case of an open boat, have a clear height
of side (i.e. the distance between the waterline and the lowest point
of the gunwalefootnote) of not less than 400mm for
vessels of 7 metres in length or under and not less than 800mm for
vessels of 18 metres in length or over. For a vessel of intermediate
length the clear height should be determined by linear interpolation;
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12.2.2.2 Vessels which carry cargo or a combination
of passengers and cargo for which the cargo element exceeds 1000kg,
or those that cannot comply with Section 12.2.2.1.
Freeboard should be assigned in accordance with the Merchant
Shipping (Load Line) Regulations 1998.
Such vessels should have a scale of draught marks marked clearly
at the bow and stern.
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12.2.2.3 A vessel required to be provided with
an approved Stability Information Booklet should be assigned a freeboard
which corresponds to the draught of the vessel in sea water when fully
loaded (each person taken as 75kg), but which in no case should be
less than the freeboard required by Section 12.2.2.1 or 12.2.2.2,
nor that corresponding to the scantling draught.