Freeboard

Assignment

Freeboard
The Freeboard
Assigned is the
distance measured
vertically downwards
at amidships from the
upper edge of the deck
line to the upper edge
of the related load line
when floating in SW.

Purpose of Freeboard
regulations
Ensure adequate reserve buoyancy
Ensure adequate stability
Avoid excessive stress on the ships
hull due to overloading
Protection of crew access, railings
etc..

Freeboard Deck
Normally it is the uppermost
continuous deck exposed to weather
and sea
Has permanent means of closing all
openings in the weather part thereof
Below which all openings in the sides
of the ship are fitted with permanent
means of watertight closing

Deck line
A horizontal line marked amidships on
each side of the ship.
The upper edge of which corresponds
with the upper surface of the freeboard
deck.
It may be displaced e.g. due to a rounded
shearstrake (tankers, bulkers)

Method of Assignment

Carried out by a Surveyor

Identifies the basic ship type, A or B
Assigns a Tabulated Freeboard
Assesses Type B ships for further
reduction, B-60 or B-100 & other
corrections to obtain Basic Freeboard
Applies further corrections to obtain
Assigned Freeboard.

TYPE A SHIP Characteristics

Vessels designed to only carry liquid
cargoes in bulk

Small, watertight openings closed by steel covers

Freeboard deck has a high integrity with a low
permeability of loaded cargo spaces

There is a high degree of sub-division

TYPE A SHIP
If the vessel is over 150m long and has empty
compartments when fully loaded at the Summer
Loadline she should be capable of remaining
afloat after the flooding of such compartments
(assumed permeability of 95%) in a prescribed
Condition of Equilibrium.
If over 150m long then the machinery space is
considered as a floodable compartment (assumed
permeability 85%)

STATE OF EQUILIBRIUM
Final waterline MUST BE below any opening
that allows progressive flooding
Final angle of heel not to exceed 15 (17 if
deck edge not immersed).
Final GM at least 0.05m.

Residual Stability
Max. GZ not less than 0.1m.
Positive range at least 20

Remaining Area under the curve at least

0.0175 mr.

ASSUMED DAMAGE
Vertical from keel to deck

ASSUMED DAMAGE
Transverse 20% of the beam or 11.5m
(whichever the least)

ASSUMED DAMAGE
Longitudinally between transverse
bulkheads (B-100 to include 1 bulkhead other
than machinery space bulkhead)

ASSUMED DAMAGE
Vertical from keel to deck
Transverse 20% of the beam or
11.5m (whichever the least)
Longitudinally between transverse
bulkheads (B-100 to include one
bulkhead other than machinery space
bulkhead)

TYPE B SHIP
Any ship other than a Type-A ship

have greater vulnerability and therefore require

a larger freeboard
Type B ships have less sub-division
More vulnerable to flooding in heavy weather
Have large deck openings

TYPE B-60 SHIP

Must be over 100m long

Steel weathertight hatch covers
Must remain afloat in the Condition of Equilibrium
after the flooding of a single compartment
If the above conditions are met then the Tabulated
Freeboard may be reduced by 60% of the difference
between A & B

TYPE B-100 SHIP

In addition to Type B-60

Steel watertight hatch covers
E.Rm access from the deck protected by a deck house
Open rails, not bulwarks, for 50% of the ships length
Crew access between Poop & detached bridge must be
by gangway or under deck passage

TYPE B-100 SHIP

In addition to Type B-60

Must remain afloat in the condition of Equilibrium after
the flooding of a any 2 fore & aft adjacent compartments
compartment ( = 95%). If the ship is over 150m long
then the machinery space alone can be regarded as a
floodable compartment ( = 85%).
If the above conditions are met then the Tabulated
Freeboard may be reduced by 100% of the difference
between A & B

ASSUMED DAMAGE
Vertical from keel to deck
Transverse 20% of the beam or
11.5m (whichever the least)
Longitudinally between transverse
bulkheads (B-100 to include one
bulkhead other than machinery space
bulkhead)