A guide to fishing vessel stability (booklet)

Download 'A guide to fishing vessel stability'

Contents

The importance of stability:

• The basics of stability: buoyancy and gravity
• How the forces of buoyancy and weight are simplified
• How the centre of gravity moves How the centre of buoyancy moves
• How stability changes as a vessel rolls over

Stability hazards to look out for: 

• Modifying a vessel or installing new fishing gear
• Overloading leading to capsize
• Swamping of the deck and ‘free-surface effects’
• Water ingress and downflooding
• Shifting catch or fishing gear Stabilisers Trawling, dredging and towing
• Fouling or snagging of fishing gear
• Lifting, pulling on board or splitting the catch
• Lifting the catch at the stern with an A-frame
• Lifting or winching at the side Risks from heavy seas, breaking waves and broaching
• Planning your stability for the whole trip
• Inclinometers and how they help