Stability During the Voyage
Why the ship you sailed is not the ship you arrive with Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Introduction – Stability Does Not Freeze at Departure One of the most persistent myths in shipping is that stability is “done” once the ship leaves port. In reality, departure is only the […]
Draft Survey
Why small reading errors become large disputes — and how professionals avoid them Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Introduction – Why Draft Surveys Matter A draft survey is not just a calculation.It is a measurement of trust between ship, terminal, charterer, and receiver. When done correctly, it provides an […]
Ballast Management for Stability
When ballast protects the ship — and when it quietly destroys margin Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Introduction – Ballast Is a Stability Tool, Not Just Water Ballast is often treated as something secondary — water moved to correct draft, trim, or stress. In reality, ballast is one of […]
Cargo Operations and Stability Change
Why ships are most vulnerable while loading and discharging — not after Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Introduction – The Most Dangerous Phase of Stability Most stability accidents do not occur at sea.They occur alongside. Cargo operations are the only phase where: The ship is not in one condition.It […]
Stability Criteria & Limits
How stability is judged, how it is calculated, and why “compliant” is not the same as “safe” Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Introduction – Criteria Are Minimums, Not Guarantees Stability criteria exist because ships have capsized while appearing “fine” right up to the end. The criteria most officers learn […]
Loading Computers
Why “the computer says OK” is not a defence Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Introduction – Why This Article Matters Loading computers have prevented countless accidents — and contributed to many others. They are powerful, precise, and persuasive. They present numbers, curves, and green indicators that imply certainty. This […]
Trim
How fore-and-aft balance quietly controls draft, propulsion, and safety Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Introduction – Trim Is Leverage, Not Cosmetics Trim is often treated as a minor adjustment — something tidied up after cargo is loaded or ballast is shifted. That mindset is dangerous. Trim changes where the […]
Drafts Explained
Why draft is a measurement, not a truth Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Introduction – Draft Is an Observation, Not a Fact Draft is often treated as a known quantity. In reality, draft is a measurement taken under imperfect conditions, subject to error, interpretation, and change. Every calculation that […]
Forces Acting on a Loaded Ship
How cargo, ballast, wind, and sea quietly shape stability Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Introduction – Stability Is Shaped by Forces, Not Conditions Stability is often described as if it were a condition the ship is in: stable or unstable. In reality, stability is the result of forces acting […]
What Stability Really Means on a Ship
Why ships float, why they return upright, and why some never do Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Introduction – Stability Is About Behaviour, Not Numbers Stability is often taught as a collection of formulas, curves, and criteria. That approach creates officers who can pass exams but do not truly understand […]