283-Vessel Stability / 748
Vessel Stabilit
y
BOS-PRD-07.900601
4 D
escri
p
tion
4
.1 Instr
u
ctions to
M
aster
The
M
aster
shall
review the vessel’s approved
Stability Booklet
and related stability assessments.
The
M
aster
shall
ensure that the
Stability Booklet
and on board loading software are used properly in
accordance with vessel stability instructions to the
M
aster
and related rules. The stability program/Loading
software
should
be approved when being used as the main source of calculations.
Instructions to
M
aster
, as indicated in the
Stability Booklet
,
shall
be strictly adhered to at all times.
In any situation, the
M
aster
has the authority to refuse or stop operations if he determines the situation to be
dangerous or at any time close up to vessel capabilities or operational limits.
Bri
d
ge Watch O
ff
icer
shall
be fully capable of carrying out stability calculations.
These instructions
shall
be highlighted during
M
aster/Bri
d
ge Watch O
ff
icer
handovers.
Stability calculations shall be kept onboard and filed for a period of 3 months (either in electronic or hardcopy
form)
4
.1.1
P
reca
u
tions
Compliance with the stability criteria does not ensure immunity against capsizing, regardless of the
circumstances. Nor does it absolve the
M
aster
from his/her responsibilities. The
M
aster
shall
exercise
prudence and good seamanship, having regard to the season of year, weather forecasts and the
navigational zone, and
shall
take the appropriate action as to the vessels course, speed and operation
warranted by the prevailing circumstances.
In case of loss of stability, it is reminded that in order to increase stability:
- capacities
should
be emptied to dry or filled full.
- All transfer that can lead to a reduced freeboard
should
be avoided.
4
.1.
2
Stabilit
y
assess
m
ent
The stability in sailing condition
shall
be checked for all voyages. Additionally, the
M
aster
is to ensure
periodically that the calculated displacement is in line with the actual displacement of the vessel by comparing
draft mark readings.
The worst case (departure or arrival)
shall
be taken into account and in case of doubt; both cases have to be
checked. For the purposes of this procedure, a voyage is considered to be a round trip from port and return to
port.
The same applies for stability during towing, anchor handling and during lifting with cranes.
The loading conditions in the
Stability Booklet
provide representative loading conditions, that
should
be used
as reference. The
M
aster
shall
either compare his actual condition with a similar condition in the booklet and
where necessary perform a full calculation or use a simplified stability calculation to estimate the stability of
an actual condition of the vessel.
Version 04. Original date: 22/06/2012. Version date: 31/12/2014. Valid version only on QMS site. Uncontrolled document when printed.
Procedure prepared by: BOS Operations Department Project Coordinator. Approved by: BOS Head of Operations. Validated by: BOS Quality Representative.
5 / 13
283