2006-09-20

Date: September 20, 2006
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location:

Washington, DC

Attendees

Rich Sonnenschein (MARAD), Ch.

Phil Alman (NAVSEA)

Rick Anderson (MSC)

Mike Bergmann (CSC, Advanced Marine Division)

Bill Cleary

Bruce Johnson

Tapan Mazumdar (NAVSEA)

Bill Peters (USCG)

John Womack (St Michaels Ship Design)

Paul Cojeen (USCG G-MSE-2), guest

Old Business

1. Introductions

Rich Sonnenschein welcomed the attendees, noting a strong turnout. For the first time, conference phone service was provided in the meeting room, for Panel members unable to attend. We will try to make this a regular offering at future meetings, and would encourage all who can’t attend to consider taking advantage of this opportunity to participate.

2. SDC Update (Rich Sonnenschein)

In June 2006, the SDC met, newly merged with its ASNE counterpart. Chairman Bob Keane is spearheading a Joint Committee strategic plan and reorganization of its panels (which will not affect SD-3).

3. Panel Membership

The Panel welcomes new member, Dr. Leigh McCue, Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech. Also, a Panel member proposed, with unanimous agreement, that Dave Maurer be invited to join the Stability Panel.

4. SLF Progress (Bill Peters)
   • Harmonization - The harmonized rules for subdivision and damage stability of dry cargo and passenger ships will enter into force on January 1, 2009. B-60 reduced freeboard bulkers will not fall under these rules, unless they carry deck cargo. Interim Explanatory Notes have been issued, while details are finalized.
   • Intact Stability Code – The basic technical work has been completed on the new Code, which will consist of only two sections: mandatory rules for certain ship types, and recommended requirements for other ship types. The Explanatory Notes (formerly Section 3) will be handled as a separate document, and has been forwarded to the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for action.
   • Passenger Ship Safety – New developments include water level detection in enclosed spaces, with indicators on the bridge, to track damaged flooding. Guidelines are being drafted.
   • Guidelines for Approving Stability Monitoring Software – Guidelines on this subject have been finalized and submitted to the MSC for further action.
   • Development of Performance-based Intact Stability Criteria – Members of the US delegation have recently taken on this task, still in a very early stage.
   • Special Purpose Ships (SPS) Code Revisions – Progress is reported on revised rules for ships carrying nuclear waste.
5. Inclining Experiment Guidance and Instruction Project

John Womack reported that the test rig is completed and ready for wiring; the data acquisition system is being studied.

6. Review of Stability-Related PNA Draft Revision

Especially for the benefit of non-participants in this volunteer review effort, recapped the Panel’s comments on draft Chapters 1 (hull form) and 2 (intact stability). PNA Editor Randy Paulling is still considering the Panel’s earlier comments on Chapter 1 and 2. The Panel has thus far provided only preliminary comments on Chapter 3 (subdivision & damage stability); as we need to finalize our input on this Chapter, all participants are requested to forward their comments to Rich Sonnenschein in the coming weeks.

7. Dynamic Stability of Small Navy Vessels

The Navy is giving new consideration to the residual buoyancy of watertight superstructure for these vessels. New modeling efforts are in progress.

New Business

Bruce Johnson and John Womack discussed the recently issued NTSB summary report on the Ethan Allan sinking – the final report has not been released yet. The primary cause, according to the report, was the excess passenger weight, but others suspect that the undocumented lightship growth and VCG rise due to the canopy mods also represent major contributing factors.

Action Items

• All Panel participants in the PNA review are requested to forward their final comments on Chapter 3 to Rich Sonnenschein by October 27, 2006;
• Rich Sonnenschein will forward past Panel comments on PNA draft Chapter 2 (intact stability) to all Stability Panel members, as requested;
• Rich Sonnenschein will invite Dave Maurer to join the Panel.

Next Meeting

The meeting was adjourned at noon; the next Panel meeting date is TBD, but is likely to be held in mid-December or early January, in Washington, DC.