V - Part 1 Section 1 A Guidelines for the Preparation of Subdivision and Chapter 3

GL 2003 Damage Stability Calculations Page 1–1

Section 1

Guidelines for the Preparation of Subdivision and

Damage Stability Calculations

A. General In the case of the probabilistic concept a required

subdivision index dependent on the ship's length re-
1. Purpose of the Guidelines spectively on the ship's length and the number of per-
sons to be on board is required. Any assumed damage
1.1 These guidelines serve the purpose of simpli- of arbitrary extent can make a contribution towards
fying the process of the damage stability analysis as establishing this subdivision index. Thus, favourable
experience has shown that a systematic and complete subdivision and utilization of all possible alternatives
presentation of the particulars results in considerable will enable optimization of the attainable subdivision
saving of time during the approval process. index.

1.2 A damage stability analysis serves the pur- Since the requirements for floatability of a ship in
pose to provide proof of the damage stability standard damaged condition essentially contribute to determin-
required for the respective ship type. At present, two ing its service conditions, it is imperative that the
different calculation methods, the deterministic con- limitations are defined at an early stage of design.
cept and the probabilistic concept are applied.
2.3 Calculation method
2. Analysis concepts
For both analysis concepts the damage stability calcu-
lation is to be performed according to the method of
2.1 Deterministic concept
lost buoyancy.
The deterministic concept applies for the time being to
passenger ships, oil, chemical and liquefied gas tank-
3. Scope of analysis and documentation on
ers, bulk carriers, offshore supply vessels, high speed
board
craft and special-purpose ships.
The deterministic concept is based on given damage The scope of subdivision and damage stability analy-
assumptions (damage length, transverse extent, verti- sis is determined by the required damage stability
cal extent). Depending on the ship type, number of standard and aims at providing the ships master with
passengers or potential risk to the environment by the clear intact-stability requirements. In general, this is
cargo carried, compliance with a required compart- achieved by determining VCG-respective GM-limit
ment status is to be proved. In the case of passenger curves, containing the admissible stability values for
ships this can easily be achieved as only small differ- the draught range to be covered.
ences of loading and a small range of draughts needs Within the scope of the analysis thus defined all po-
to be considered. In the case of tankers, on the other tential or necessary damage conditions will be deter-
hand, the large variety of substances to be carried and mined, taking into account the damage stability crite-
their distribution in the ship require performance of an ria, in order to obtain the required damage stability
extensive, systematic analysis in order to get as many standard. Depending on the type and size of ship, this
allowed service conditions as possible. For this type of may involve a considerable amount of analyses.
vessel, experience has shown that a recalculation of
representative loading conditions is inadequate, as Referring to SOLAS II-1, B-1, Reg. 23 and Reg. 23-1
divergent conditions are not admissible. With a few the necessity to provide the crew with the relevant
exceptions, this procedure will be adequate only, if an information regarding the subdivision of the vessel is
approved computer is available on board, using a expressed, therefore plans shall be provided and per-
verified damage stability calculation program. manently exhibited for the guidance of the officer in
charge. These plans shall clearly show for each deck
and hold the boundaries of the watertight compart-
2.2 Probabilistic concept
ments, the openings therein with means of closure and
The probabilistic concept acc. to SOLAS II-1, Reg. position of any controls thereof, and the arrangements
25-1 applies to all other cargo ships having a subdivi- for the correction of any list due to flooding. In addi-
sion length exceeding 80 m and for passenger vessels tion, Damage Control Booklets containing the afore-
in accordance with IMO Resolution A.265 (VIII). mentioned information shall be available.
Chapter 3 Section 1 B Guidelines for the Preparation of Subdivision and V- Part 1
Page 1–2 Damage Stability Calculations GL 2003

B. Documents for Submission mation about arrangements of watertight longitudinal

and transverse bulkheads, cargo hold entrances, air
1. Presentation of documents ventilation ducts, down- and crossflooding ducts etc.
The documentation shall begin with the following
details: Principal dimensions, international rules ap- 3. Special documents
plied such as SOLAS- or MARPOL-Conventions, Dependent on the applicable concept of the damage
IBC-, IGC-Codes ship type, Character of Classifica- stability calculation the following documentation of
tion, damage stability marking according to Part 0 – results is to be submitted.
Classification and Surveys, Section 2, C.3.1.2, desig-
nation of intact conditions, designation of damage 3.1 For deterministic calculations:
conditions and pertinent damaged compartments,
VCG-respective GM-limit curve. It is to be distinguished between the calculation of
limit curves (e.g. for passenger vessels) or the proof of
compliance for distinctive loading conditions (e.g. for
2. General documents
tank vessels).
For checking of the input data, the following is to be
submitted: 3.1.1 Limit curve calculation
– main dimensions Initial condition with:
– lines plan, plotted or numerically – draught, trim, GM, respective displacement with
centres of gravity
– hydrostatic data and cross curves of stability
(incl. drawing of the buoyant hull) – permanent solid or liquid ballast or min./max.
quantities in tanks
– definition of sub-compartments with moulded
volumes, centres of gravity and permeability Result list with:
– layout plan for the sub-compartments with all – table with permissible VCG-respective GM-
internal and external opening points including values for the observed range of draughts
their connected sub-compartments, and particu-
lars used in measuring the spaces, such as gen- Results for each damage case:
eral arrangement plan and tank plan – draught, trim, heel, GM in damaged condition
– lightship data – righting lever curve (incl. GZmax and range)
– load line draught – critical weathertight and unprotected openings
– co-ordinates of opening points with their level with their angle of immersion
of tightness (e.g. weathertight, unprotected) – dimension of the damage and details of sub-
– watertight doors location with pressure calcula- compartments with amount of inflooded water/
tion lost buoyancy and outflooded liquids with their
centres of gravity
– coordinates of margin line, respective deck
contour 3.1.2 Calculation of distinctive loading condi-
tions
– side contour and wind profile
– cross- and downflooding devices and the calcu- Loading condition with:
lations thereof according to IMO Res. A.266 – draught, trim, GM
with information about diameter, valves, pipes
length and coordinates of inlet/outlet – displacement of the ship and solid cargo plus
consumables with centres of gravity
– pipes in damaged area when the destruction of
– liquid cargo with density, filling ratio and cen-
these pipes results in progressive flooding
tres of gravity,
– damage extensions and definition of damage – filled tanks with density, filling ratio and centres
cases of gravity
Additionally a Watertight Integrity Plan is to be pre-
Results for each damage case:
pared showing the subdivision of the vessel. The
drawing shall describe the assumption for the damage – draught, trim, heel, GM in damaged condition
stability calculation and is to be submitted at the earli-
– righting lever curve (incl. GZmax and range)
est possible date together with the damage stability
calculation. The drawing should contain the main- and – critical weathertight and unprotected openings
local internal subdivision of the hull as well as infor- with their angle of immersion
V - Part 1 Section 1 C Guidelines for the Preparation of Subdivision and Chapter 3
GL 2003 Damage Stability Calculations Page 1–3

– dimension of the damage and details of sub- ness of the compartmentation so that, in the event of
compartments with amount of inflooded water/ damage to the ship, proper precautions can be taken to
lost buoyancy and outflooded liquids with their prevent progressive flooding through openings therein
centres of gravity and effective action can be taken to quickly mitigate
and, where possible, recover the ship's loss of stabil-
3.1.3 Special documents for passenger vessels ity.
For passenger vessels for which the deterministic
concept is applicable, the calculation of the floodable 1. Damage Control Plan
length curve acc. to SOLAS II-1, Reg. 4 to 7 is to be
For each ship for which a damage stability calculation
submitted including the factor of subdivision F and
is to be performed a Damage Control Plan is to be
criterion numeral CS including intermediate results.
prepared, containing the following information if
applicable and partly beyond the requirements of
3.2 For probabilistic calculations MSC/ Circ. 919:
Initial data: – ship's name
– subdivision length LS – shipyard and hull no.
– initial draughts and the corresponding GM- – GL-register-no, Character of Classification and
values damage stability marking
– required subdivision index R – principal dimensions
– attained subdivision index A with a summary
– permissible number of persons to be carried
table for all contributions for all damaged zones
– subdivision index R
Results for each damage case which contributes to the
index A: – main and local watertight subdivision

– draught, trim, heel, GM in damaged condition – numbering of compartments

– dimension of the damage with probabilistic – frame numbers and spacing

values p and v furthermore the documentation of – penetration lines (e.g. B/5 or 760 mm-line) in
the b-value calculation each deck view
– righting lever curve (incl. GZmax and range) with – simplified instructions in case of damage in
factor of survivability s order to prevent progressive flooding
– critical weathertight and unprotected openings – emergency exits
with their angle of immersion
– watertight door location with control stations
– details of sub-compartments with amount of
inflooded water/lost buoyancy with their centres – position of weathertight and unprotected open-
of gravity ing points
– pipes in damaged area when the destruction of
3.3 Special consideration these pipes results in progressive flooding
For intermediate conditions such as stages before
– valves at bulkheads penetrations
crossflooding or before progressive flooding an ap-
propriate scope of the documentation covering the – cross- and downflooding arrangement
a.m. items is needed in addition.
– permanent solid or liquid ballast or min./max.
Furthermore, in cases of inconsistencies, GL reserves quantities in tanks
the right to request a more detailed representation of
results and the documentation of interim results. For the sake of clarity, unnecessary details, such as
accommodation details or decks not considered in the
damage stability calculation, are to be deleted from the
Damage Control Plan.
C. Documents on Board

For the on-board documentation Damage Control 2. Damage Control Booklet

Plans and Damage Control Booklets are to be pre- In addition to the aforementioned, booklets shall be
pared. These documents are intended to provide the made available according to MSC/Circ. 434 and MSC/
ship's officer in charge with clear information on the Circ. 919 containing the following information:
ship's watertight compartmentation and equipment
related to maintaining the boundaries and effective- – introduction and description of this manual
Chapter 3 Section 1 D Guidelines for the Preparation of Subdivision and V- Part 1
Page 1–4 Damage Stability Calculations GL 2003

– principal dimensions and main data sumed load condition. The permeabilities correspond
to the applicable Regulations.
– stability limiting values (VCG/GM limit curve)
– ship's watertight arrangement The results of these flooding investigations should be
presented in a form according to B.
– position of watertight doors and hatches with
information about operational instructions Additional guidance should be provided to ensure that
– position of all weathertight and unprotected the ship's officers referring to that information are
openings aware that the results are included only to assist them
in estimating the ship's relative survivability. The
– piping arrangement incl. available pumps and
guidance should identify criteria on which the analy-
valve arrangement
ses were based and clearly indicate that the initial
– cross- and downflooding arrangement conditions of the ship's loading extents and locations
– summary of the damage stability calculation of damage, permeabilities, assumed for the analyses
with description of the analysis concept and may have no correlation with the actual damaged
damage stability criteria condition of the ship.

– information of the damage control locations

– position of sounding devices
All given information shall correspond with the Dam- D. On-Board Damage Control Computer
age Control Plan. Program

The main purpose of such a document is to stipulate

appropriate action in case of damage. The chapter for The use of on-board computers for stability calcula-
damage control should include information such as: tions is not a requirement of Class. However, a stabil-
ity software installed onboard shall cover all stability
– workflow of damage scenario requirements applicable to the ship.
– closing of watertight and weathertight openings
The scope of stability calculation software shall be in
– check of the extent of damage and sounding of accordance with the information as approved by the
compartments administration and shall at least include all informa-
– use of pumps tion and perform all calculations or checks as neces-
sary to ensure compliance with the applicable stability
– use of loading computer
requirements. Approved stability software is not a
– liquid transfer operations substitute for the approved stability information, and
is used as a supplement to facilitate stability calcula-
– information to external authorities and emer-
gency response group tions. The input/output information should, as far as
practicable, be easily comparable with approved sta-
bility information so as to avoid confusion and possi-
The booklet should be supplemented with copies of
ble misinterpretation by the operator. An operation
the general arrangement plan, tank capacity plan and
manual is to be provided for the on-board computer
piping diagram as well as information about used
stability software. The language in which the stability
abbreviations and the definition of the co-ordinate
information is displayed and printed as well as the
system.
operation manual should be the same as used in the
According to MSC/Circ. 434 for dry cargo vessels a ship's approved stability information.
limited number of damage cases shall be provided to
inform the master about capabilities of his ship in the General approval of a program will be granted upon
case of flooding. At least the flooding of the machin- examination of the program on the basis of selected
ery space and each cargo compartment are to be damage conditions of a test ship specified by GL. The
shown. For the initial condition the ship should be part of the program related to a specific ship will be
assumed on even keel at least for two separate checked by re-calculation of a given selection of dam-
draughts (full load and partial load). The vertical cen- age conditions submitted, and approval for use on
tre of gravity (VCG) should be taken either from intact board the ship will be granted upon satisfactory com-
stability information or should correspond to the as- pliance having been established.