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ADA Access to Passenger Vessels: Finding Safety Equivalence Solutions for Weathertight Doors with Coamings

Print Email Stability Letter and Certificate of Inspection

Stability Letter

US Department of Transportation United States Coast Guard

Commanding Officer United States Coast Guard Marine Safety Center

Washington, DC 20590-0001 Staff Symbol: MSC-1 Phone: (202) 366-6481 Fax: (202)366-3877

Stability Letter 16710/P002920, Ser H1-9603368, November 6, 1996

Master, FLYING CLOUD; O.N. 1047743 82’ 8” x 27’ 6” x 8’ 4” Catamaran Small Passenger Vessel (T-L)

You are responsible for maintaining this vessel in a satisfactory stability condition at all times and for following the instructions and precautions listed below.

A deadweight survey, witnessed by the U.S. Coast Guard, was conducted on the FLYING CLOUD, O.N. 1047743, at Somerset Massachusetts, on November 5, 1996. On the basis of that survey, and a conservative estimate of the vertical center of gravity, stability calculations have been performed. Results indicate that the stability of the FLYING CLOUD, as presently outfitted and equipped, is satisfactory for operation on Partially Protected Waters, provided that the following restrictions are observed.

DAMAGE SURVIVAL

When operated as indicated below, calculations indicate this vessel will stay upright (no more than 7 degrees of list under ideal conditions) after bottom damage, when the bottom damage is limited to any one major compartment in either hull, and not more than 1 foot 0-1/4 inches upward from the bottom of either hull. A major compartment is the total space between any two adjacent Main Transverse Watertight Bulkheads (MTWB’s). For this vessel, these MTWB’s are located at the following longitudinal locations forward of the transom in each hull: 7 feet 10 inches (frame 2), 30 feet 10 inches (frame 8), 46 feet 7 inches (frame 12), and 65 feet 10 inches (frame 17). Calculations further indicate this vessel will stay upright when damage is limited to both hulls (concurrently) forward of the collision bulkheads, which are located in frame 17 of each hull.

Calculations indicate this vessel will stay upright (no more than 7 degrees of list under ideal conditions) after side damage when the side damage is limited to any one major compartment in either hull and not more than 3 feet inboard from the side of either hull. To maintain the vessel upright after flooding (damage), the heeling forces imposed by wind, wave, and passenger movements must be minimized. The calculations do not specifically account for high winds, heavy seas, or the movement of many passengers to one side.

OPERATING RESTRICTIONS

  1. ROUTE: Operation on Partially Protected Waters may be permitted. Since the vessel’s route is based upon other considerations in addition to stability, you are cautioned that the route may be further limited to that specified on the Certificate of Inspection.

  2. PERSONNEL: A maximum of 153 persons may be carried on this two deck vessel, of which 149 may be passengers. Up to 100 persons may be carried on the uppermost passenger deck. Since personnel capacity is based upon other considerations in addition to stability, you are cautioned that the number of persons carried may be further limited to that specified on the Certificate of Inspection.

  3. DRAFT AND TRIM: The vessel is limited to a maximum draft of 3 feet 10-1/2 inches above baseline. This corresponds to a minimum freeboard amidships measured from the top of the guard to the waterline of 5 feet 0-1/2 inches. Amidships is located 6-1/4 inches aft of frame 10. Trim shall be minimized.

  4. WATERTIGHT BULKHEADS: There are no watertight doors in any MTWB’s. No watertight bulkheads shall be removed or altered without the authorization and supervision of the cognizant Office in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI).

  5. HULL OPENINGS: Any openings that could allow water to enter into the hull or deckhouse should be kept closed when rough weather or sea conditions exist or are anticipated.

  6. TANKS: Any cross-connections between port and starboard tank pairs shall be kept closed at all times when underway.

  7. WEIGHT CHANGES: This stability letter has been issued based upon the following light ship parameters:

Displacement 42.91 Long Tons VCG (Conservative Estimate) 10.60 Feet Above the Baseline LCG 6.92 Feet Aft of Amidships

Any alteration resulting in a change in these parameters will invalidate this stability letter. No fixed ballast or other such weights shall be added, removed, altered and/or relocated without the authorization and supervision of the cognizant OCMI. The vessel is not fitted with permanent ballast.

  1. BILGES: The vessel’s bilges and voids shall be kept pumped to minimum content at all times consistent with pollution prevention requirements.

  2. SCUPPERS AND FREEING PORTS: Cockpit scuppers and deck freeing ports shall be maintained operable and completely unobstructed at all times.

  3. LIST: You should make every effort to determine the cause of any list of the vessel before taking corrective action.

This stability letter shall be posted under glass or other suitable transparent material in the pilothouse of the vessel so that all pages are visible.

D. C. Aurand Commander, U. S. Coast Guard By direction of the Commanding Officer

Certificate of Inspection United States of America Department of Transportation United States Coast Guard

Certificate of Inspection

Vessel Name FLYING CLOUD

Official Number 1047743

Call Sign WCW9486

Service Passenger (More than 6)

Hailing Port BOSTON, MA

Hull Material FRP

Horsepower 1930

Propulsion Diesel Reduction

Place Built SOMERSET MA, UNITED STATES

Delivery Date 08Nov1996

Date Keel Laid 20Jul1996

Gross Tons R-70, I-141

Net Tons R-47, I-54

DWT

Length R-75.8, I-75.8

Owner MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY ATTN GENERAL COUNSEL TEN PARK PLAZA BOSTON, MA 02116-3974 UNITED STATES

Operator WATER TRANSPORATION ALTERNATIVES 703 WASHINGTON STREET QUINCY, MA 02169 UNITED STATES

(Personnel) This vessel must be manned with the following licensed and unlicensed personnel. Included in which there must be 0 certified lifeboatmen, 0 certified tankermen, 0 HSC type rating, and 0 GMDSS Operators. 1 Master, 0 Chief Mate, 0 2nd Mate/OICNW, 0 3rd Mate/OICNW, 0 Mater & 1st Class pilot, 0 Mate & 1st Class pilot, 0 Lic. Mate/OICNW, 0 1st Class pilot, 0 Radio Officer(s), 0 Able Seamen/ROANW, 0 Ordinary Seamen, 2 Deckhands, 0 Chief Engineer, 0 1st Asst. Engr/2nd Engr., 0 2nd Asst. Engr/3rd Engr., 0 3rd Asst. Engr., 0 Lic. Engr., 0 QMED/Rating, 0 Oilers. In addition, this vessel may carry 149 passengers, 0 other persons in crew, 1 persons in addition to crew, and no others. Total persons allowed: 153

Route Permitted and Conditions of Operation:

— Lakes, Bays, and Sounds plus Limited Coastwise — BETWEEN CAPE ANN, MASSACHUSETTS AND MANOMET POINT, MASSACHUSETTS NOT MORE THAN TWENTY MILES FROM A HARBOR OF SAFE REFUGE UNDER REASONABLE OPERATING CONDITIONS.

IF THE VESSEL IS AWAY FROM A DOCK, OR PASSENGERS ARE ON BOARD OR HAVE ACCESS TO THE VESSEL FOR A PERIOD EXCEEDING 12 HOURS IN ANY 24 HOUR PERIOD, AN ALTERNATE CREW SHALL BE PROVIDED.

NO MORE THAN 54 PASSENGERS ARE ALLOWED ON THE UPPER DECK.

A CHILD SIZE LIFE PRESERVER SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR EACH CHILD ON BOARD

(Closing of Page) With this Inspection for Certification having been completed at Quincy, MA, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, MSO BOSTON certified the vessel, in all respects, is in conformity with the applicable vessel inspection laws and the rules and regulations prescribed thereunder.

This certificate issued by: B.M. SALERNO, CAPT. USCG MSO BOSTON

Stability Letter

Stability Letter, page 1 - text version above

Stability Letter, page 2 - text version above

Stability Letter, page 3 - text version above

Certificate of Inspection

certificate of inspection - text provided above