Ro-Ro Ferry Damage Stability

Inexpensive and efficient valuation of ferry survivability with water on deck was developed by DMI (Denmark) for the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Since the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement on new damage stability requirements for Ro-Ro ferries operating in North European waters, numerous model tests have been performed to demonstrate the survivability of such ferries.

The tests have demonstrated a certain gap between the outcome of a water-on-deck damage stability analysis performed on the basis of the Stockholm Agreement and the outcome of model tests. In most cases, model tests have given a more favourable result than calculations, meaning that less modification of the ferry would be required to survive a model test than to pass the calculation criteria. This is the background for model testing being as popular as is the case, despite the considerable cost of such tests. This result is obtained without compromising the safety requirement.The numerous tests performed by DMI have created a knowledge base which can be used to predict the outcome of the test, and DMI has established such a method for in-house use in conjunction with preparations for model tests or otherwise as a consultancy service.

More information: DMI