Guideline on the verification of stability compliance for towing vessels published by USCG

United States Coast Guard has published a guideline on the verification of stability compliance for towing vessels.

This Design Verification Guideline (DVG) was published on 23 March 2023.

This guideline aims to provide guidance and information to the marine industry on how to verify the stability compliance of towing vessels certified under 46 Subchapter M.

The DVG is applicable to towing vessels that meet either of the following criteria:

• keel laid on or after July 20, 2017, or
• underwent a major conversion on or after July 20, 2017.

MSC does not need to complete a stability review for Subchapter M towing vessels. Instead, the vessel owners can choose from the authorized individuals or entities for design verification, including a registered professional engineer licensed in the United States or the District of Columbia, an authorized classification society, or the Coast Guard.

A written stability test procedure must be submitted to the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center at least two weeks before the stability test, as per 46 CFR 170.085.

For more information, please see the documents below (available only to subscribers):

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

Stability for Towing Vessels

Machinery Systems on Towing Vessels

Electrical Systems on Towing Vessels