ANNEX 9 - The Wolfson Stability Guidance Method
Updated 31 January 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-code-of-practice-for-the-safety-of-small-fishing-vessels-of-less-than-15m-length-overall/annex-9-the-wolfson-stability-guidance-method
THE WOLFSON METHOD HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FROM AN MCA RESEARCH PROJECT. SKIPPERS AND OWNERS MAY FIND IT USEFUL.
Please refer to Annex 2 of MGN 526 Stability Guidance for Fishing Vessels - Using the Wolfson Method and the free Stability Notice and Freeboard Calculator.
Annex 2 of MGN 526 summarises the methods used to prepare Stability Notices for fishing vessels. It is based on the recommendations of Research Projects 559 and 560 carried out by the Wolfson Unit of Southampton University. The researchers recommend that each vessel display a Stability Notice in a prominent position in the wheelhouse. This notice would provide guidance on how certain loading or lifting operations will reduce the safety of the vessel, and on the limiting sea states in which such operations should be conducted. Three safety zones are defined, and assigned the colours green, amber and red on the Stability Notice to represent the relative levels of safety.