IMO calls for increased damage stability

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has resolved to step up protection of new cargo and passenger vessels in the case of accident. Accordingly, all new vessels built from 1 January 2009 will be governed by new technical design regulations to ensure a higher level of stability in a damaged state.

In the recently revised SOLAS regulations, the previous concept of risk assessment has been extended. On the basis of current average statistics, IMO saw itself obliged to devise a better method of assessing the residual stability of damaged vessels. This now applies not only to cargo vessels, but also to passenger vessels. The new regulations clearly stipulate that these vessels must have a double bottom that extends over their entire breadth. Vessel designs without a double bottom are only permitted if a comparable level of safety in the event of grounding is proven by means of additional calculations.

No exceptions apply to lubricating oil circulation tanks arranged under the main engine. With regard to their arrangement, it is important that a minimum distance of 500mm to the keel line of the vessel is always ensured. The specification in the new SOLAS 2009 regulations has been agreed in order to prevent lubricating oils from escaping or the engine from sucking up seawater in the event of a vessel grounding.

The guiding factor in implementing the new stricter SOLAS regulations that come into effect on 1 January 2009 is the date of laying down the keel and all vessels laid down after this date must comply with these requirements. For cargo and passenger vessels now in planning, an extensive recalculation of the damage stability is necessary. In addition, special ?on-board? information for damage control is being called for, which will be documented in a damage-control plan for the crew. A new aspect in the IMO requirements is that this on-board documentation is also to be introduced for tankers.

The rules of SOLAS 2009 are being augmented with ?Explanatory Notes? containing technical explanations. IMO finalised the content in July and a formal decision on the ?Explanatory Notes? will be taken at the meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee in November.