Minutes

Date: January 10, 2008
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: US DOT Headquarters

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, Conf. Rm. W21-124

Washington, DC

Attendees

Rich Sonnenschein (MARAD), Ch.

Phil Alman (NAVSEA)

Chris Bassler (NSWCCD)

Mike Bergmann (CSC, Advanced Marine Division)

Bruce Johnson

Christopher Kent (CSC, Advanced Marine Div.)

Chao Lin (MARAD), guest

Jane Louie (Gibbs & Cox)

Tapan Mazumdar (NAVSEA)

by telecom:

Chris Barry (USCG ELC)

Bill Cleary

Vadim Belenky (ABS)

Geof Fuller (NOAA)

Ray Hermes (NOAA)

Leigh McCue (VA Tech)

Bill Peters (USCG, CG-3PSE-2)

John Rosborough (NSWCCD)

Old Business

1. Introductions

Rich Sonnenschein welcomed the attendees, and thanked them for the strong turnout, noting new members, Vadim Belenky and Chris Bassler. The meeting was enhanced by the participation of eight members, via telecom.

2. SLF-51 Prep

Bill Peters reviewed the major items covered, including:

• SOLAS 2009 – to be completed at SLF-51in July 2008, and enter into force in January 2009; in the aftermath of the loss of the MS EXPLORER, it will specifically address progressive flooding through ship’s sanitary system.
• 2008 Code of Intact Stability

– forwarded to MSC for adoption at their early October 2008 meeting, expected to apply to ships built after Jan 1, 2010.

- Vadim Belenky discussed the progress of an intersessional group to develop the framework for new generation, performance-based, Dynamic Stability Criteria: definitions are almost done, and will be submitted in July 2008 to IMO. There is another correspondence group, addressing Minor Progressive Flooding for pipes less than 30 mm (or possibly less than 50 mm) in diameter, considering faulty non-return valves.

• Safety of Fishing Vessels <12 m in Length – latest version has been circulated for comment.
• New Generation Damage Stability Criteria – Three tasks will be addressed at FLS-51, including how administrations wil deal with wind and roll.
• Damage Stability – Issues need to be resolved, concerning the treatment of runoff, for tankers and bulk carriers.
• Large Passenger Ships – Guidelines for flooding detection systems; time-dependent survival (“time to flood”) issues; return-to-port criteria design issues.
3. Inclining Experiment Guidance and Instruction Project

No discussions – the project is currently on hold.

4. Dynamic Stability of Vessels

At the T&R Steering Committee meeting in November 2007, a Task Group for Dynamic Stability under Panel SD-3 was approved (see New Business, Item 1. for further progress).

5. Review of Stability-Related PNA Draft Revision

A telecom on PNA took take place during the SNAME Annual Meeting in November. Rob Tagg reported by email that he is updating Chapter 3, Damage Stability, to reflect the SOLAS 2009 Harmonized Cargo and Passenger ship rules, and hopes to forward a rewrite before the next Stability Panel meeting. He will advise us on when (and if) a section on Navy damage stability criteria is needed. The new PNA will be released as modular a product as possible, such as separate volumes on Hull and Ship Geometry.

6. Stability Panel Web Site

Jane Louie has set up a basic model of the Panel web site, based A small cadre, including Bruce Johnson, Phil Alman, Vadim Belenky, and Bill Peters, are engaged in developing the preliminary framework, such as terms of reference, mission, schedule, and deliverables, ahead of formalizing the technical groundwork. on input from Rich Sonnenschein. The web site is expected to be on line shortly, once a few remaining details are sorted out.

7. Evaluating Small Craft Stability Status

At the October 2007 meeting, Chris Barry raised the issue of making the evaluation of small craft (primarily, <25 m in length), in accordance with non-mandatory stability criteria) more accessible to the designers. These criteria are not familiar to the Panel. No discussion.

8. Panel comments on SAWE Inclining Text

At the October 2007 meeting, Bruce Johnson suggested that the Panel review the SAWE draft and provide stability-related feedback to SAWE. The Panel gave its support. No discussion.

New Business

1. Dynamic Stability Task Group

A small cadre, including Bruce Johnson, Phil Alman, Vadim Belenky, and Bill Peters, and others, are engaged in developing the preliminary framework and technical basis. Before expanding this group, the first priority is to define its terms of reference, such as mission, schedule, and deliverables.

2. Long-Range Program for Safety of High Speed Vessels

Bill Cleary mentioned that RINA (of which he is a member) is working on a program for the long-term safely of high-speed vessels, and is looking for habitability criteria for ship motions.

Action Items

• (previous item) If practicable, Chris Barry to put an explanatory package together for the Panel, to review existing stability rules for small vessels.
• (previous item) Bruce Johnson to advise interested Panel members on how they can obtain the SAWE draft on Inclining Experiments.
• Dynamic Stability Task Group to define Terms of Reference, etc.
• Rob Tagg to forward updated draft of PNA Chapter 3, when ready.
• Jane Louie and Rich Sonnenschein to continue development of Stability Panel web page.
• Bill Cleary to locate mathematical habitability criteria for ship motions.

Adjournment / Next Meeting

The meeting was adjourned at noon; the next Stability Panel meeting is scheduled tentatively for 9:30 a.m., to coincide with the date of the next meeting of the SLF Working Group - on either Tues, April 29, Wed, April 30, or Thurs, May 1 (TBD). – at US Coast Guard Headquarters, in Washington, DC.