Definition of Stability

STABILITY is the vessel’s 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 it’s 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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 Therefore …...
a vessel will
experience
an upthrust that is
equal to the weight
Displacement 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 ship’s 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
vessel’s contents:
• Cargo

• Bunkers - ( fuel / lubricating oil /

ballast water / fresh
water/potable water)
Equipment sound

Stores
• 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
soun

the cargo holds that can be used for

general cargo.
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
TEU’S ( Twenty Equivalent Units
TPC ( Tons Per Centimeter Immersion ), is a
measurement of how many tons that are required to
change the ship’s 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 it’s 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 it’s
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
STABILITY NOMENCLATURE K = KEEL
M M = META CENTER
KM = HEIGHT OF
META CENTER
G G = CENTER OF GRAVITY
KG = HT OF CENTER
B OF GRAVITY
GM = METACENTRIC HT
B = CENTER OF BUOYANCY
G=B K
V/L FLOATS KB = HT OF CENTER
G>B BUOYANCY
V/L SINKS BM = METACENTRIC RADIUS
 • THE POS. OF K IS FIXED
M • THE POS OF M VARIES
W/ THE DRAFT OF VSL.
GG • G MOVES TOWARDS
G WT. LOADED
G • G MOVES AWAY FROM
B WT. DISCHARGE
• G MOVES PARALLEL
TO THE DIR. OF THE WT
K 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
GM IS POSITVE
K
DBT EMPTY
 NEUTRAL
TST FULL TST FULL

M G

KM = KG
K M & G COINCIDES
DBT EMPTY
GM = ZERO
 UNSTABLE
TST FULL TST FULL
G
M

KG > KM
K G IS ABOVE M
DBT EMPTY
GM IS NEGATIVE
 STABLE
TST EMPTY TST EMPTY
G
M

G MOVES TOWARDS
WEIGHT ADDED
K G MOVES AWAY FROM
DBT FULL WEIGHT DISCHARGED
 HEEL LIST
G OFF THE
CENTER LINE

B
LOW
SIDE
DUE TO EXTERNAL DUE TO UNEVEN
FORCE 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 10º - 15º, the GZ is calculated
as: GZ = GM x Sin θ
( θ 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