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Freeboard and Subdivision 329

reality. The method of calculating the value for a group of compartments from its
components is identical in the two rules.
The formula for s is quite different.
Finally the passenger rules contain many more requirements relating to damaged
stability, generally on the lines of those in the deterministic rules.
It would be very interesting to know how much these “equivalent” rules have
been used since their introduction, and whether designers using them have in
general found them to be more or less onerous than the deterministic rules. It may
be a case of horses for courses.

11.8 FUTURE RULES

One of the difficulties in writing a book on practical ship design, as opposed to
theoretical naval architecture, is the speed with which quite recently written material
becomes out of date as new design ideas are brought forward and new rules are set.
This section tries to give a brief introduction to some rule changes that have either
come into force very recently or are likely to do so in the near future.
The rules governing safety of life at sea have come in for some very significant
re-examinations following a number of major catastrophes in recent years whilst
the introduction of some radically new ship types has been accompanied by a new
approach to safety investigations.
Tom Allan, Director of the British Marine Standards Division, in his 1997
R.I.N.A. paper “The 1995 Solas Diplomatic Conference on Ro-Ro passenger
ferries” gives an excellent insight into the many factors which need to be considered
when trying to improve the safety of these vessels and summarises the changes in
design and operational procedures recommended in the agreements reached.
The factors which it was thought should be considered in arriving at the Solas
Conference recommendations were:
- Stability of the ship in intact and damaged conditions.
- The implications of accidents resulting in water on the Bulkhead (Ro-Ro)
deck.
- Measures to prevent such accidents and their consequences.
- Construction of the ship, especially of hull doors and closing devices.
- Basic ship design, including the design of the ship to facilitate evacuation.
- The human factor and potential areas of human error.
- Operational factors, including the closure of watertight doors and the lashing
of vehicles.
- Interface between passengers and shipboard safety systems
- Crisis management, including access to information needed to manage crises
effectively.