NAVAL SHIP STABILITY GUIDELINES: DEVELOPING A SHARED VISION FOR NAVAL STABILITY ASSESSMENT

Abstract

Surface combatants are required to operate in conditions of high military threat and be capable of deployment to any area of conflict or crisis at any time. This requirement calls for the vessel and crew to be capable of safely contending with the full range of environmental conditions that may be encountered while pursuing their primary objective. Achieving and maintaining this capability is strongly influenced by the application of naval stability standards, many of which have a common origin, based on experiences from the World War II and before. Although such standards have apparently served the navies admirably over many years, there are many reasons to question their limitations and applicability in the context of modern ship design and procurement. This paper presents the efforts to date of the Naval Stability Standards Working Group to investigate the relationship between existing intact stability standards and capsize risk with respect to frigate forms.