Fishing vessel stability
Capsizing due to insufficient stability is a major cause of fatalities for fishing vessels under 24m length, especially those under 15m.
There are two main causes of vessel instability:
- The centre-of-gravity is too high, making the vessel top heavy
- There is insufficient freeboard due to overloading
Every vessel will capsize if the centre of gravity is too high. Read the Fisherman’s Safety Guide for more information about:
- The main causes of the centre of gravity being too high, and what you can do to avoid it
- The hidden dangers of cranes/derricks, and loose water/fish, and what to look out for
- The causes of overloading, and how you can avoid it
- What minimum safe freeboard is, and how to ensure it
- How modifications to your vessel or a change in fishing method can affect stability
Fishing vessel stability guidance
Read the Fishing Vessel Stability Guidance booklet to find out about how the stability of your vessel is vital for both your life and your livelihood.
Although rare when compared to other types of accidents, the suddenness of capsize means the chance of survival is much reduced and, in many instances, none of the crew survive.
Avoiding capsize is not just a question of whether your vessel has good stability or not, it is also very dependent on how the vessel is operated and the decisions made whilst fishing.
Being aware of the stability characteristics of your vessel and taking decisions based on those characteristics which minimise risks and hazards, will help to ensure your safety. It is important that you refer to the Glossary of Terms to get a full understanding of the terms used in the booklet.
This booklet is written in two sections. Part one is aimed at everyone, from the crew member to the skipper, the owner and anyone involved in the management and operation of the vessel. It provides simple information on the basics of stability, the risks and hazards and what action you can take to ensure the vessel stays safe.
Part two is aimed at skippers and is intended to provide greater detail on the more advanced concepts of stability.
Fishing vessel roll and heel tests
Fishing Vessels can assess their stability by conducting Roll and Heel Tests as set out in MGN503 (F) Procedure for Carrying out a Roll or Heel Test to Assess Stability for Fishing Vessel Owners and Skippers.
This MGN has been produced as a result of the need for owners and skippers of small fishing vessels (most appropriately those under 15m Length overall (LOA)) to make an assessment of the state of stability of their vessels. Although both tests do not provide accurate or absolute data, it will help owners and skippers assess whether or not their vessel is tender or stiff in a particular condition (i.e. laden or unladen).
Using the Wolfson Method to assess vessel safety
MGN526 (F) Stability Guidance for Fishing Vessels - Using the Wolfson Method provides guidance to both vessels with and without a Stability Information Booklet on how to assess their vessels stability during lifting and loading operations using the Wolfson Stability Guidance Method. This approach is applicable to all those vessels under 15m length for which no formal stability data is available, that is to the overwhelming majority of such vessels.
The process is completely free and takes less than ten minutes online, plus the time needed to draw up and paint the Freeboard Mark onto the vessel, the dimensions and positioning of which are obtainable from the Safety Folder website.
It is essential to the safe operation of your vessel that you maintain adequate reserve freeboard. As well as the stability of the vessel, it is the reserve freeboard that provides the vessel the ability to remain upright and afloat.
Wolfson Stability Guidance also depends on whether the vessel is decked or open. For definitions, please refer to MSIS27 Chapter 1 Annex 3.
Training on Stability awareness is available from Seafish online or through an Approved Training Provider.