Definition of Stability

STABILITY is the vessels ability to return to an

upright position after being heeled by an external forces.

Weight
Displacement of Water

For a ship to float, it must displace a weight of water

equal to its own weight. This weight is measured in
tons and is represented by the symbol

A ship displaces

a weight of water
that is equal to its
own weight.

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Displacement

Therefore ...
a vessel will
experience
an upthrust that is
equal to the weight
of the displaced
water.

When Buoyancy (B)

is equal to Gravity (G)
the vessel will float.

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WEIGHT
DEADWEIGHT

Deadweight is a measurement of the ships total

carrying capacity. It is the total weight of cargo, ballast,
fuel oils, provisions, crew, freshwater, stores and etc.

 By Deadweight is understood the weight of the

vessels contents:
Cargo
Bunkers - ( fuel / lubricating oil /
ballast water / fresh
water/potable water)
Equipment
Stores
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 Gross tonnage equals the entire volume

of the enclosed spaces of the ship.

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 Net tonnage can be calculated by

deducting the spaces that are not used
for cargo from the gross tonnage.

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 Harbour Dues that must be paid are often

calculated according to the net tonnage.

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By Bale Space is meant the volume of

the cargo holds that can be used for
general cargo.
soun

By Grain Space is meant the volume of the

cargo holds that can be used for bulk cargo.
S

Ullage (to allow for the expansion of the oil).

By Oil Space is understood 98% of the

total volume of the wet bulk tanks.

CONTAINER STOWAGE
TEUS ( Twenty Equivalent Units

TPC ( Tons Per Centimeter Immersion ), is a

measurement of how many tons that are required to
change the ships draught by one centimeter.The TPC
may vary at different draughts and trim calculations.
calculations

K is the abbreviation of the Keel,

Keel and is always at the
same place. This is on the constructed line going
through the center of the ship, called the Centerline.

G is the center of gravity,

gravity and its vertical placement is
dependent on the places of masses onboard. Heavy cargoes
placed near the bottom of the ship gives a low G while cargo
placed higher in the ship gives a higher G. The gravitational
forces work downwards as if they work in one point.

The Forces of Buoyancy work all over the

underwater hull.

The Forces of Buoyancy work upwards as in one point,

called the Center of Buoyancy

M is the Metacenter of the ship. When heeling at small

angles, the ship will pivot around this point.

Lpp

App
Fpp
Perpendiculars are vertical lines fwd and aft, used for
measurement purposes. The fwd perpendicular is measured
from the endpoint of the constructed waterline.
waterline The aft
perpendicular is measured through the rudder shaft.
shaft Length
between perpendicular is referred to as LPP.
LPP

App

Fpp

In the middle of the perpendicular we have the so called

Mid-Length of the ship.
ship This is found by dividing the
distance Lpp in two. The mid-length is therefore called
L/2 and represented by the symbol:

LCG is the Center of Longitudinal Gravity,

Gravity and its
placement is dependent on the Longitudinal masses
onboard. LCG is measured in meters from the aft
perpendiculars.

LCB are forces of Buoyancy working all over the hull.

These forces work upwards in one point. LCB is
measured in meters from the aft perpendiculars.
perpendiculars

App

Fpp

LCF (Longitudinal Center of Flotation) when changing

trim, will rotate about a transverse axis that passes
through the center of the actual waterline.
waterline LCF is
read out from the hydrostatic data of the ship at a
given condition.

Ship rotating about the LCF

Ship rotating about the LCF

Ship rotating about the LCF

K = KEEL
M = META CENTER
KM = HEIGHT OF
META CENTER
G = CENTER OF GRAVITY
KG = HT OF CENTER
OF GRAVITY
GM = METACENTRIC HT
B = CENTER OF BUOYANCY
KB = HT OF CENTER
BUOYANCY
BM = METACENTRIC RADIUS

STABILITY NOMENCLATURE

M
G
B
G=B
V/L FLOATS
G>B
V/L SINKS

M
GG
G
G
B
K

THE POS. OF K IS FIXED

THE POS OF M VARIES
W/ THE DRAFT OF VSL.
G MOVES TOWARDS
WT. LOADED
G MOVES AWAY FROM
WT. DISCHARGE
G MOVES PARALLEL
TO THE DIR. OF THE WT
BEING SHIFTED
B MOVES TOWARDS
THE LOW SIDE OF
INCLINED V/L

STABLE

TST FULL

TST FULL

M
G
KM > KG
M IS ABOVE G

DBT EMPTY

GM IS POSITVE

NEUTRAL
TST FULL

TST FULL

K
DBT EMPTY

KM = KG
M & G COINCIDES
GM = ZERO

UNSTABLE
TST FULL

TST FULL

G
M

K
DBT EMPTY

KG > KM
G IS ABOVE M
GM IS NEGATIVE

STABLE
TST EMPTY

TST EMPTY

G
M

G MOVES TOWARDS
WEIGHT ADDED
K
G MOVES AWAY FROM
DBT FULL WEIGHT DISCHARGED

LIST
G OFF THE
CENTER LINE

HEEL

G
B
LOW
SIDE
DUE TO EXTERNAL
FORCE

DUE TO UNEVEN
WEIGHT

The Righting Lever GZ is the horizontal distance between

vertical forces acting through B1 and G. The stability depend upon
the length of GZ and the Buoyancy forces.

For angles of maximum 10 - 15, the GZ is calculated

as: GZ = GM x Sin
( is the angle of Heel )

A typical GZ curve for a specific shi in one certain

condition. To find the GZ value at one angle of
heel.

To find a GZ value at one angle of heel:

- Start at the given angle of heel
- Go straight up until we meet the GZ curve
- We can read the GZ value by going horizontally out to
the axis where the GZ value are written in meters.

If we increase the distance between M and G, there

will be a great on Improving the GZ values. The
result is a better stability.

If we increase more the distance between M and G,

there will be a great on Improving the GZ values. The
result is a better stability.

TRIM is the difference between fwd and aft draft.

The trim may be changed by:
- Moving mass already onboard in a fwd or aft direction
- Adding mass at different places onboard
- A change in the water density

Aft Trim is when the aft draught is larger than the fwd
draught

Fwd Trim is when the fwd draught is larger than the aft
draught

Trimming Moment is when moving a mass =

Mass moved x the distance it moved

Trimming Moment is when moving a mass =

Mass moved x the distance it moved

Trimming Moment is when adding a mass =

Mass added x the distance fwd or aft of LCF

Trimming Moment is when adding a mass =

Mass added x the distance fwd or aft of LCF