Stability and Load Line Requirements for Yacht and Pleasure Craft
Rules/Codes
RINA Rules for the Classification of
Pleasure Yachts-Hull and Stability
DNV GL Rules for Classification and
Construction–Ship Technology-
Special Craft- Yachts and Boat Up to
24m
Stability Load Lines
Intact Stability criteria for yachts less than 24 m in length  For yachts subject to load line assignment when a superstructure is
For yachts less than 24 m in length, the stability assessment may be considered giving a reduction to the tabular required freeboard it has to
carried out in compliance with ISO Standard 12217-1 and 12217-2 be considered as a superstructure contributing to buoyancy.
respectively for non-sailing boats and for sailing boats.  Where the sill of any side door is below the uppermost load line, the
arrangement is considered by the Society on a case-by-case basis.
 Craft whose scantling length L ≥ 10 m shall have their proof of stability Nil
based on an inclining experiment
 For craft with a scantling length L < 10 m, the proof of adequate stability
may be provided by calculation or by experiment.
 In exceptional cases, GL may dispense with proof of stability for craft
with a scantling length L of 10m ≤ L< 15m
1. Craft with a scantling length L < 10 m also open craft
Motor craft
An angle of heel of 12° shall not be exceeded with the craft under the
combined influence of the centrifugal moment from a turning circle
manoeuvre and a personnel moment
Sailing craft (including motorsailers)
An angle of heel of 30° shall not be exceeded when the craft is exposed to
a heeling moment due to lateral wind pressure
2. Craft with scantling length L ≥ 10m, decked craft
Motor craft
 GM ≥ 0,35 m
 righting lever at 30° inclination ≥ 0,20 m
 stability range ≥ 60° (not for multi hull craft)
 area under lever arm curve up to 30° inclination ≥ 0,055 m ⋅ rad
 turning circle angle of heel ≤ 12°, to be determined by turning trials
Sailing craft (including motorsailers)
 GM ≥ 0,60 m
 stability range ≥ 60° for craft without ballast keel
 stability range ≥ 90° for craft with ballast keel
 righting lever at the maximum of the lever arm curve ≥ 0,30 m
 static angle of heel under sail ≤ 20°, but not more than deck edge to
water areas B + C ≥ 1,4 ⋅ (A + B), see Fig. 5.3
Stability and Load Line Requirements for Yacht and Pleasure Craft
Rules/Codes
UK RED CODE- Safety of Small
Vessel
A Code of Practice for The
Construction, Machinery,
Equipment, Stability, Operation,
Manning, Examination,
Certification and Maintenance of
Vessels of which:
 Up to 24m Load Line Length
 Do not carry cargo or more
than 12 passengers.
 In Commercial Use for Sport
and Pleasure
 Do Not Carry Cargo
 Operate Only in Favorable
Weather and Day Light from a
Nominated Departure Point
 No more than 3 miles from
land nor more than 15 miles
from their point of departure
Stability Load Lines
Extract of Section 11 of The Small Commercial Vessel and Pilot Boat Code of Practice: Any certificate issued in accordance with this Code of Practice is
Intact a legal alternative to an MCA load line certificate for small
 The following vessels are required to be provided with a stability information booklet seagoing vessels in commercial use for sport or pleasure.
which is approved by the Certifying Authority:-
.1 operation in Category 0 or 1; or FREEBOARD
.2 carrying 16 or more persons; or A vessel with a continuous watertight weather deck, which is
.3 carrying Cargo greater than 1000kg; or neither stepped nor recessed nor raised, must have a freeboard
.4 fitted with a lifting device as defined in 11.6. measured down from the lowest point of the weather deck of
.5 vessel’s towing where the towed object’s displacement is greater than twice the not less than 300mm for a vessel of 7 metres in length or under
displacement of the towing vessel. See Section 11.7. and not less than 750mm for a vessel of 18 metres in length or
 A vessel carrying 15 or less persons, carrying less than 1000kg of cargo, and operating over. For a vessel of intermediate length the freeboard is
in Area Categories other than 0 or 1 shall either comply with Section 11.1.1.2 or be determined by linear interpolation.
subject to a simplified assessment of stability, and is not required to be provided with
approved stability information.
 A sailing multihull over 6m in length should be provided with a Stability Information
Booklet approved by the Certifying Authority.
 All vessels, other than those vessel’s deemed unsuitable for carriage of the booklet by
the Certifying Authority (i.e. vessels with no cabin or shelter), are required to carry the
relevant copy of the MCA Stability Guidance Booklet (Motor or Sail
 The maximum permissible weights to be carried on board, determined from Sections
11 or 12, should be clearly identified in the vessel’s certificate.
Damage Survivability
This applies to all monohull vessels carrying 16 or more persons and those operating in
Area Category 0 or 1, with 7 or more persons, subject to minimum safe manning levels
being agreed by the Certifying Authority