SHIP STABILITY

Vessels should have positive inherent stability capabilities to consent the concurrent transfer operation of cargo and ballast when alongside, taking into account the negative effect on stability produced by the maximum hypothetical free surface produced when all compartments are slacked.
The initial metacentric height corrected for free surfaces in any condition of cargo and ballast and calculated at 0° heel should be not less that 0.15 m. The area under the righting lever curve should not be less than the value indicated at point 3.1.2.1 of the Intact Stability Code (IMO Res. A 749 (18). If operational restrictions are envisaged for the vessel to comply with the above requirements or critical conditions are met, a notice should be given to RNA Vetting Services. Any such restrictions shall be evaluated taking into consideration the special nature of each every case.
Vessels with length in excess of 120 meters must be provided with a loading computer for the calculation of stability and stress. The software used must be approved by the Classification Society and its operating instruction should provide information for the calibration checks of the software.
For Chemical and gas carriers the loading computer is requested when the length of the ship exceeds 65 meters.

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