Specific Stability Requirements for Ro-Ro Passenger Ships

There are some specific stability requirements that every Ro-Ro passenger ship is bound to go by. Regardless to say, these stability requirements are amended to ensure a complete safety for the Ro-Ro passenger ships. Take a look below to expand your knowledge in this regard.

General Provision

The regulations suggest specific stability requirements for ro-ro ships that can carry more than 12 passengers regardless of the flag of these kinds of ships. These regulations are meant for those ships that are used in international voyages. The stability norms have been framed for averting collisions and ensure safety to passengers and crew.

The Maritime Safety Inspectorate will occasionally inspect ro-ro ships before they start their voyage. A recognized ship classification society can also perform inspections on ships at the ports or before commencing their voyages.

Wave Height

The significant wave height is one of the stability factors that have to be taken into consideration before a ship begins its voyage. The significant wave height is the average height of highest third of wave heights that are observed and analyzed in a given period.

By applying the requirements prescribed in Annex 1 of stability norms, the significant wave height is used to determine the height of water level on the car deck. The results of significant wave height will determine the ones that do not exceed by 10% on yearly basis.

Sea Areas

Sea areas crossed by ro-ro passenger ships which ensure regular service to ports and figures of significant wave height applicable thereto shall comply with provisions that are mentioned in Annex 1 of the agreement that concluded at Stockholm on February 28, 1996, as per the provisions of SOLAS conference. The conference addressed issues on the stability of ro-ro ships.

If the target port state is not a member state of international agreements, it shall determine the figures of significant wave height and the sea areas applicable thereto.

List of Specific Stability Requirements

Ro-ro ships have to follow norms of Regulation II-I/B/8 of SOLAS Convention that is related with watertight subdivision as well as stability in damaged condition. Ro-ro passenger ships that operate exclusively in sea areas need to comply with the norms of SOLAS Convention.

The classification society or the Inspectorate monitors the fulfillment of the requirements of Annex I. The monitoring body also checks whether the design of the ship is in compliance with Annex II.

Certificates Required

All the existing and new ro-ro ships are required to carry a certificate that is issued by the classification society. The classification society will evaluate the stability parameters of the ship and then issue the certificate based on the requirements specified in Annex I and Chapter IV of these regulations.

These are the specific stability requirements for ro-ro ships. Before the commencement of the voyage, the owner of the ro-ro ship has to make sure the vessel is in compliance with these requirements.