Stability Control on Ro-Ro Passenger Ships as the Main Factor of Ship’s Safety

Abstract

On Ro-Ro passenger ship the wide spectrum of captain’s responsibilities should be taken into consideration. One of the important responsibilities is the ship’s stability examination. The other measures as the ship’s condition, wind on ship with large windage area, rolling characteristics, severe seas etc., are important for ensuring the safe operating of ship, to minimize the risk to the ship, to the personnel and passengers on board, and to the environment. The international convention for the Safety of Life At Sea – (SOLAS 90) make into fact the continual development of safety standards in the 111 years since the sinking of the Titanic. Important enhancement stability, operational requirements and damage stability requirements were made as a consequence of several disasters at sea: “Torrey Canyon” in 1967, “Herald of Free Enterprise” in 1987 (183 dead), “Exon Valdez” in 1989, “Braer” in 1993, “Estonia” in 1994 (892 dead). In particular the dramatic loss of the Ro-Ro/Passenger vessels M/F “Herald of Free Enterprise” in 1987, and M/F “Estonia” in 1994, respectively, has resulted in the international regulation requiring enhanced damage stability requirements for this type of vessels, and in more stringent damage stability criteria adopted on a regional basis by Northern European countries (Stockholm Agreement, 1977).