SOLAS 2009- raising the alarm

Abstract

In anticipation of the new harmonised probabilistic rules for damage stability being adopted in January 2009, a number of ship owners are opting to follow these rules in advance, somewhat hesitantly and reluctantly considering the general lack of experience and understanding but also the confusion that prevails. In this climate, the authors have found a fertile ground for introducing a methodology to deal optimally with this problem, deriving from the arsenal of tools and knowledge available at SSRC and SaS. As a result, the authors are involved in some way or other with most ships currently being designed in accordance with the new probabilistic rules for damage stability. This involvement has revealed a somewhat more serious problem with probabilistic damage stability calculations, which is hidden in the detail of the rules, but one that matters most. The authors are highlights this problem and recommends a way forward. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011.