[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 7]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR170.110]

[Page 100-101]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 170_STABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL INSPECTED VESSELS--Table of Contents
 
        Subpart D_Stability Instructions for Operating Personnel
 
Sec. 170.110  Stability booklet.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a stability 
booklet must be prepared for each vessel, except for mobile offshore 
drilling units subject to the operating manual requirements of Sec. 
109.121 of this chapter.
    (b) Each stability booklet must be approved by the Coast Guard 
Marine Safety Center or the ABS.
    (c) Each stability book must contain sufficient information to 
enable the master to operate the vessel in compliance with applicable 
regulations in this subchapter. Information on loading restrictions used 
to determine compliance with applicable intact and damage stability 
criteria must encompass

[[Page 101]]

the entire range of operating drafts and the entire range of the 
operating trims. Information must include an effective procedure for 
supervision and reporting of the opening and closing of all loading 
doors, where applicable.
    (d) The format of the stability booklet and the information included 
will vary dependent on the vessel type and operation. Units of measure 
used in the stability booklet must agree with the units of measure of 
the draft markings. In developing the stability booklet, consideration 
must be given to including the following information:
    (1) A general description of the vessel, including lightweight data.
    (2) Instructions on the use of the booklet.
    (3) General arrangement plans showing watertight compartments, 
closures, vents, downflooding angles, and allowable deck loadings.
    (4) Hydrostatic curves or tables.
    (5) Capacity plan showing capacities and vertical, longitudinal, and 
transverse centers of gravity of stowage spaces and tanks.
    (6) Tank sounding tables showing capacities, vertical centers of 
gravity, and longitudinal centers of gravity in graduated intervals and 
showing free surface data for each tank.
    (7) Information on loading restrictions, such as a maximum KG or 
minimum GM curve that can be used to determine compliance with 
applicable intact and damage stability criteria.
    (8) Examples of loading conditions.
    (9) A rapid and simple means for evaluating other loading 
conditions.
    (10) A brief description of the stability calculations done 
including assumptions.
    (11) General precautions for preventing unintentional flooding.
    (12) A table of contents and index for the booklet.
    (13) Each ship condition which, if damage occurs, may require cross-
flooding for survival and information concerning the use of any special 
cross-flooding fittings.
    (14) The amount and location of fixed ballast.
    (15) Any other necessary guidance for the safe operation of the 
vessel under normal and emergency conditions.
    (16) For each self-propelled hopper dredge with a working freeboard, 
the maximum specific gravity allowed for dredge spoil.
    (e) A stability booklet is not required if sufficient information to 
enable the master to operate the vessel in compliance with the 
applicable regulations in this subchapter can be placed on the 
Certificate of Inspection, Load Line Certificate, or in the stability 
letter required in Sec. 170.120.
    (f) On board electronic stability computers may be used as an 
adjunct to the required booklet, but the required booklet must contain 
all necessary information to allow for the evaluation of the stability 
of any intact condition that can be evaluated by use of the computer.

[CGD 79-023, 48 FR 51010, Nov. 4, 1983, as amended by CGD 83-071, 52 FR 
6979, Mar. 6, 1987; CGD 88-070, 53 FR 34537, Sept. 7, 1988; CGD 76-080, 
54 FR 36977, Sept. 6, 1989; CGD 89-037, 57 FR 41825, Sept. 11, 1992; CGD 
95-028, 62 FR 51217, Sept. 30, 1997]