What are the practical steps necessary to execute a stability test? How to avoid the pitfalls? Who do you call to arrange everything? This guide gives advice to the vessel owner on how to prepare for a stability test, from start to finish. Instead of theory, we focus on the logistics and coordination.
The stability test is a scientific experiment, designed to achieve accuracy by controlling everything on the vessel during the test. Unfortunately, a working vessel is a terrible place for a scientific experiment. Which is why the stability test is so inconvenient. The Test Coordinator needs trying to extrapolate critical numbers, based on very small measurements, while excluding all the normal complications of a working vessel. That level of control requires extensive preparation and coordination between the vessel Owner and Test Coordinator. This provides a practical guide to prepare you for a stability test.
The Test Coordinator acts as your single point of contact and adviser throughout the test. This will be the naval architect firm you hired. They will coordinate times and resources for all the various parties involved. You decide on your limits, and the Test Coordinator handles everything else. Given all the steps necessary to execute a stability test, the Test Coordinator becomes a welcome ally.
During the preparations for the test, it may seem that the Test Coordinator transforms from ally to enemy, imposing dozens of requirements. But just like an accountant at a tax audit, the Test Coordinator is there to guide you through the process and guard you against mistakes with government regulations. That is why the Test Coordinator has so many requirements; to ensure USCG will easily accept the stability test on the first pass.
Use the following guide as a practical timeline for a stability test. It is fairly conservative and will allow plenty of time for unexpected surprises.
Naval architecture firm must submit the test procedure to United States Coast Guard (USCG). USCG will require extensive time to review the procedure and approve it. Officially, USCG requires one month for any review, but they can normally review procedures in two weeks. An approved procedure is required before the stability test.
Confirm that you are on schedule to complete all vessel modifications by the planned test date. Plan alternative accommodations for any crew during the stability test. They will be removed from the vessel for 12 – 24 hours. Secure contracts for all test equipment, especially the following:
If you are working with a shipyard, the yard will most likely handle all the logistics for the stability test.
Meet with Test Coordinator on the vessel. Have them survey the vessel and provide guidance on vessel readiness. Offload any fuel that needs to be removed for the stability test. Offload any deadweight that needs to be removed for the stability test. All items can be stored securely on the pier-side, or anywhere that is convenient. But they can not be on the vessel.
Any tanks listed as empty during the test should be emptied at this point and gas freed.
Confirm that all shipyard work will be completed by the next day. Check the weather and confirm there will be fair conditions for a stability test. Discuss any concerns about weather delays with the Test Coordinator. Check that the vessel will be prepared and ready.
Test Coordinator and staff conduct the deadweight survey. Depending on size of vessel, this may require more than one day. Chief Engineer should configure any tanks that still have liquid to their final state for the stability test. Reconfirm that all empty tanks are still gas free, and still have no pooled liquid. (Sometimes the tank valves leak.)
Absolutely no construction work on the vessel. Non-essential crew shall be off the vessel. Shipyard workers shall be off the vessel. The vessel will be shutdown to critical systems only and will be non-functional. Crane and Incline weights should arrive very early in the morning, or the night before.
Master and Chief Engineer should be onboard for the stability test. All crew present should prepare for a very long workday. Vessel owner may attend incline experiment, if desired. Ideally, vessel owner should observe test from the pier-side.
Vessel may depart port, under temporary authorization from USCG. Test Coordinator will begin work to provide a new stability booklet or stability letter, subject to review of results from the Stability Test and a new stability analysis.
The following plans are critical to the stability test and must be provided. If the plans do not exist, they must be created new.
The following supplemental documentation is useful, but not required.
We call the following equipment owner-supplied, meaning that the naval architect doesn’t own these assets. In reality, most of the equipment will be rented. This is an excellent opportunity to work with your Test Coordinator. They can arrange the rental equipment, review the options, and then handle all the coordination.
The Vessel Master and Chief Engineer must be accessible during the deadweight survey to answer any questions. The following personnel should be ready and available during the incline experiment.
Personnel on the vessel must be kept to a minimum during the incline experiment. If desired, the Vessel Master and Chief Engineer can double as line handlers during the incline experiment. This is left to the discretion of the vessel owner and operators.
The stability test procedure lists a tank configuration. This should be carefully reviewed and confirmed acceptable with the vessel before submittal to USCG. Any tanks listed as empty must be truly empty, stripped, and certified gas free. Any tanks listed as full will need to be pressed full, with liquid overflowing out the tank vent. The Test Coordinator can provide solutions to tank configurations, but any submitted configurations must be followed.
Any tanks listed as empty in the procedure must be gas free and stripped completely dry. There can be moisture on the walls, but no pools of liquid.
Vessel deadweight can not exceed 2% of the lightship weight. This is critical. Stability tests have been in danger of rejection by USCG because deadweight exceeded 2%. Roughly speaking, deadweight is anything not bolted down or necessary for fire protection and lifesaving. Any items that regularly leave the vessel or change position are considered deadweight. The best idea is to remove these items from the ship and temporarily store them in a secure facility.
The key to a successful stability test is preparation and communication between Owner, Crew, and Test Coordinator. Remember that the Test Coordinator is there to help ensure a successful test. Do not disregard their advice, and bring up any concerns you have, or any difficulties with the Test Procedure. Any issues can be overcome with sufficient planning and preparation.
| [1] | Code of Federal Regulations, “Determination of Lightweight Displacement and Centers of Gravity,” in Code of Federal Regulations, Washington, D.C., U.S. Government, 2020, pp. 46 CFR 170, Subpart F. |
| [2] | United States Coast Guard, “MSC Guidelines for the Submission of Stability Test Procedures,” Procedure Number: GEN-05, Washington D.C., Sep 27, 2012. |
| [3] | ASTM, “Standard Guide for Conducting a Stability Test (Lightweight Survey and Inclining Experiment) to Determine the Light Ship Displacement and Centers of Gravity of a Vessel,” ASTM F1321-92, West Conshohocken, PA, 2004. |
| [4] | United States Coast Guard, “Stability Tests (46 CFR 170, Subpart F),” Marine Safety Manual, vol. VI, pp. 6-18 to 6-27, Sep 29, 2004. |
| [5] | US Coast Guard, “Line Handler,” Wikimedia Commons, 03 Sep 2016. . Available: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Line_Handler_(22332803950).jpg. . |
| [6] | Marine Chemist Service, “Certified Marine Chemist,” Marine Chemist Service, 01 Jan 2020. . Available: https://www.marinechemist.com/services/certified-marine-chemist/. . |
| [7] | A. Kumar, “Ship Stability: Stiff and Tender Ship, Angle of Loll & Inclining Experiment,” Mariner Desk, 11 Dec 2017. . Available: https://www.marinerdesk.com/stiff-and-tender-ship/. . |
| [8] | Wikipedia Authors, “San Francisco Harbor Tug Delta Deanna in Suisun Bay, CA,” Wikimedia Commons, 27 Aug 2005. . Available: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:San_Francisco_harbor_tug_Delta_Deanna_in_Suisun_Bay,_CA.jpg. . |
| [9] | Wikipedia Authors, “Harbor Tug Assists USN Ship Depar Port Naval Station Rota in January 2009,” Wikimedia Commons, 28 Jan 2009. . Available: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harbor_Tug_in_Rota,_Spain_2009.jpg. . |
https://dmsonline.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USCGC_Healy_WAGB-20_north_of_Alaska-scaled-1.jpg
633
1200
Nate Riggins
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DMS-logo.svg
Nate Riggins2024-05-14 09:00:002025-08-17 10:09:40Surviving the Arctic: Polar Class Icebreakers
https://dmsonline.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MackinawIce1-scaled-1.jpg
883
1200
Nate Riggins
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DMS-logo.svg
Nate Riggins2024-03-19 09:00:002025-08-17 10:09:41Ramming the Ice: Icebreaker Propulsion
https://dmsonline.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ClickBait1_1.84.1.jpg
1080
1920
Nate Riggins
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DMS-logo.svg
Nate Riggins2022-02-21 06:00:002025-08-15 13:17:02Stability Letters Explained
https://dmsonline.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Seawise_University_wreck.jpg
1059
1412
Nate Riggins
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DMS-logo.svg
Nate Riggins2021-01-18 07:00:002025-08-17 10:09:43Free Surface Moment
https://dmsonline.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/PendulumSetup_500px.webp
422
500
Nate Riggins
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DMS-logo.svg
Nate Riggins2020-11-02 06:00:002025-08-17 10:09:44Practical Stability Test: Naval Architect’s Guide
https://dmsonline.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/container-ship-2893480_1920.jpg
924
1386
Nate Riggins
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DMS-logo.svg
Nate Riggins2020-10-19 06:00:002025-08-17 10:09:45Stability Test Theory
https://dmsonline.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/palfinger_marine_Foldable-Knuckle-Boom-Crane_PK150002M.png
900
1350
Nate Riggins
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DMS-logo.svg
Nate Riggins2020-09-07 06:00:002025-08-17 10:09:45Practical Stability Test: Chief Engineer’s Guide
https://dmsonline.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Seawise_University_wreck.jpg
1059
1412
Nate Riggins
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DMS-logo.svg
Nate Riggins2020-08-17 06:00:002025-08-17 10:09:45Practical Stability Test: Master’s Guide
https://dmsonline.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/M20002-Clickbait_1.png
924
1643
Nate Riggins
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DMS-logo.svg
Nate Riggins2020-06-22 06:00:002025-08-17 10:09:46When You Need a Stability Test