UK: Guidance on the Intact Stability IMO 2008 IS Code

UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has published the instructions for the guidance of surveyors on the Intact Stability IMO 2008 IS Code, with explanatory notes.

This document was published on April 25, 2023, and is applicable to the following ship types:

Cargo ships
Cargo ships with timber deck cargoes
Passenger ships
Fishing vessels
Special purpose ships
Offshore supply vessels
MODUs
Pontoons
Cargo ships carrying containers on deck
Container ships

having length ≥ 24 m and keels laid on or after 5th December 2008.

Intact Stability IMO 2008 IS Code

This publication includes the full text of the IMO 2008 Intact Stability (IS) Code* which entered into force for applicable ships with keels laid on or after December 5, 2008**, and the associated Explanatory Notes***.

*See Resolution MSC.267(85), adopted on 4th December 2008

**See MSC.1/Circ.1292 “Early application of the international code on intact stability, 2008” concerning the date of entry into force encouraging member states to apply the Code from 5th December 2008.

***See MSC.1/Circ.1281 “Explanatory Notes to the International Code on Intact Stability, 2008.

In Issue 1, the original text of the Code was updated to show various subsequent amendments introduced by Resolutions MSC.319(89), MSC.389(95), MSC.413(97), and MSC.415(97).

Issue 2 now includes amendments introduced by MSC.1/Circ.1537 and the corrigenda included in MSC 85/Add.1/Corr.3/Rev.1. These text amendments are highlighted, and notes indicate their various dates of entry into force as appropriate.

The omission of the term (f/B) in the formula for ML in Part B paragraph 2.9.1.2 of Issue 1 has now been corrected.

Current intact stability-related UK SI's and guidance remain applicable to all vessels constructed before 5/12/2008 and any such vessels which undergo major conversion after 5/12/2008.