NVIC 03-89: Presenting stability information to vessel operators

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNITED STATES COAST GUARD Commandant (G-MTH-3) Washington, D.C. 2059-0001 Phone No. (202) 267-2988 FAX No. (202) 267-0025 COMDTPUB 16700.4 NVIC 3-89 7 SEP 1989 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 3-89 Electronic Version for Distribution via the WWW. Subj: Guidelines for the Presentation of Stability Information for Operating Personnel Ref: (a) 46 CFR 170 Subpart D, Stability Instructions for Operating Personnel

Guidelines for the Presentation of Stability Information for Operating Personnel — PURPOSE. The purpose of this Circular is to provide the marine industry with guidelines for the

preparation of stability information that is provided for ensuring the safe operation of vessels, as defined by compliance with Coast Guard stability standards.

Guidelines for the Presentation of Stability Information for Operating Personnel — APPLICATION. This guidance is for use by those required to submit stability information to the

Coast Guard for inspected vessels and other vessels assigned load lines by or on behalf of the Commandant. The guidance is generally applicable to vessels of all sizes and in all services, from vessels that need only a sentence of guidance to vessels whose stability must be ascertained by detailed calculations performed on board. This guidance is not provided specifically with mobile offshore drilling units in mind, but portions of this guidance are appropriate for the operating manual required by 46 CFR 109.121. This guidance may be used by the Coast Guard during stability review, or by an organization performing stability review on behalf of the Coast Guard.

Guidelines for the Presentation of Stability Information for Operating Personnel — BACKGROUND.

a. Reference (a) requires stability instructions for operating personnel of certain inspected vessels. Similarly, 46 CFR 42.15-1(b) requires that stability information approved by the Commandant be provided to operating personnel of new vessels which have load lines issued by the United States. The intent of the regulatory requirements is to provide information to the operator of a vessel that will enable the operator to readily ascertain the stability of the vessel under varying loading conditions and to operate the vessel in compliance with applicable stability criteria. b. The Coast Guard reviews calculations which demonstrate compliance with applicable stability criteria. As part of that review, the operating guidance is reviewed for technical detail, sufficiency, clarity, and ease of use. The review is normally performed by the Marine Safety Center, the cognizant Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection (OCMI), or the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on behalf of the Coast Guard. c. Use of vessels in services for which they were not originally designed has led to confusion and inconsistency in developing suitable stability guidance. Unfamiliarity with Coast Guard practices has affected many deliveries as the industry relies more on the support of individuals with little or no experience with Coast Guard review. NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 3-89 d. A series of tugboat capsizings in the mid 1980s indicated that the operators of some vessels were not familiar with what is assumed to be good marine practice related to stability. Consequently, the Coast Guard now ensures stability information is provided for most vessels receiving a Load Line Certificate or a Certificate of Inspection. The information may be in the form of a stability letter or placed on the Certificate of Inspection or the Load Line Certificate. In many cases, the information is simply a short list of good marine practices upon which stability calculations have been based.

Guidelines for the Presentation of Stability Information for Operating Personnel — DISCUSSION.

a. The format of the required stability information, exclusive of the Coast Guard issued stability letter, is intentionally left to the discretion of the owner. The Coast Guard prefers to have the owner propose the format and content of the stability information, since vessel arrangements, operations, and the capabilities of operating personnel vary significantly. However, the Coast Guard must determine that the format and content are appropriate for the vessel and suitable for use by the vessel's operators. b. Stability information should be simple to use, appropriate for any operator of the vessel, and free from unnecessary or confusing information. Generally, the stability information becomes more complex as the vessel size increases, due to the owner's desire to provide maximum flexibility in the vessel's use. In most cases, such complexity is accommodated by improved understanding of stability by the operating personnel. The Coast Guard encourages the use of the simplest guidance for vessels; however, restricting operating flexibility for the purpose of simplifying stability information is not intended by the Coast Guard. c. Enclosure (1) contains the recommendations of the Commandant in regard to the format and detail of required stability information for operating personnel. d. Enclosure (2) provides guidance suitable for use in the preparation of the type of stabiliyt information that is typically used on large vessels. e. Enclosure (3) is a sample stability letter that the Marine Safety Center uses in tailoring individual stability letters for vessels. The instructions, in general, are suitable for most vessels.

Guidelines for the Presentation of Stability Information for Operating Personnel — IMPLEMENTATION.

a. The Coast Guard encourages owners to work with vessel designers when stability guidance is being prepared. The designer must know the constraints of the vessel's operations and the capabilities of its operating personnel. The owner must ensure that vessel operators ace capable of readily and safely using the supplied stability guidance. NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 3-89 b. Designers and owners should consult enclosure (1) when developing stability information for operating personnel. Early discussion with the cognizant reviewing office is encouraged, to ensure that the form of the guidance provided to operating personnel will be acceptable to the Coast Guard. End: (1) Guidelines for Presenting Stability Information to Operating Personnel (2) IMO MSC Circular 456, Guidelines for the Preparation of Intact Stability Information (3) Sample simplified stability letter for small vessels NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: C:e New Orleans (90); Baltimore (45); San Francisco (40); Port Arthur, Honolulu, Puget Sound (35); Miami, Mobile, Long Beach, Morgan City (25); Hampton Roads, Jacksonville Portland OR (20); Boston, Portland ME, Charleston, Anchorage (15); Cleveland (12); Louisville, MemphisP, aducah, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Savannah, San Juan, Tampa, Galveston, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Milwaukee, San Diego, Juneau, Valdez (10); Providence, Huntington, Wilmington, Corpus Christi, Toledo (5). C:m New York (70); Philadelphia (35); Houston (25); St. Ignace (5); Sturgeon Bay (4). D:l CG Liaison Officer MILSEALIFTCOMD M-65 STRAT MOB, CG Liaison Officer JUSMAGPHIL (1).