ANNEX 6a - Conducting Fishing Vessel Offset Load Test
Updated 31 January 2024
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1.1 An offset load test should be conducted when the Vessel is loaded according to the operating conditions set out below in as specified in 1.4.1 below taken from the IMO Publication “Safety Recommendations for Decked Fishing Vessels of Less than 12m in Registered Length and Undecked Fishing Vessels”.
1.2 The test should be conducted in three stages.
Stage 1
A weight equivalent to one third of 25 x LOA x B (kgs) should be distributed along one side of the vessel,
where:
LOA and B, in metres, Length overall and beam
Stage 2
A weight equivalent to two thirds of 25 x LOA x B (kgs) should be distributed along one side of the vessel,
Stage 3
A weight equivalent to 25 x LOA x B (kgs) should be distributed along one side of the vessel,
1.3 The stability is deemed satisfactory when the angle of heel does not exceed 15° and the freeboard to the deck is not less than 75 mm at any point.
1.4 The owner must agree with MCA to use the following Operating Condition
.1 departure for the fishing grounds with full fuel, stores, ice, fishing gear, etc and empty hold.;
1.5 The same Vessel condition should be repeated at each subsequent test.