Intact Stability Criteria Research Articles

A review of intact ship stability research and criteria

An investigation on capsizing of a vessel in a seaway is of paramount importance from the point of view of safety of life at sea. The present paper analyzes the major research efforts made throughout the world regarding intact stability and the establishment of stability criteria. Attempts have been made by the authors to draw conclusions from this analysis and to provide guidelines for future research efforts in the field of intact stability of ships.

Assessing Intact Stability

This paper was originally prepared to provide discussion material for a proposed senior-level course in advanced stability considerations at the University of Michigan. The author has since revised and restructured the paper. The theory and history underlying existing intact stability criteria based on initial GM, righting moment balance and righting energy balance are discussed. Application of these assessment methods is shown and the critical weaknesses of each are addressed. Examples are drawn from current U.S. Coast Guard and IMCO requirements.

An Evaluation of Intact Stability Criteria

Coast Guard and Navy intact stability criteria which were in existence in 1952 are described. The evolution of the IMCO criteria for fishing vessels and for all other vessels under 100 m (328 ft) in length and of the Coast Guard criteria for offshore supply vessels and towing vessels is described. The conclusion is reached that these criteria properly applied are adequate to ensure stability for seagoing vessels.

Recent Coast Guard Research into Vessel Stability

The paper outlines the development of intact stability criteria for U. S. merchant vessels. Present stability criteria for passenger ships, general cargo ships, tugboats, etc. as well as stability criteria recommended by the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization are discussed. The paper describes the research into intact stability phenomena that is being sponsored by the U. S. Coast Guard. Results and the scope of the programs at the University of California at Berkeley to investigate ship stability in a seaway and Hydronautics, Inc. to investigate tugboat and fishing vessel stability and the applicability of present criteria are presented. The last section of the paper describes a computer simulation program developed by one of the authors to predict capsizing in following seas.