National Standard for Commercial Vessels  

Part C – Design and construction 

Section 6 – Stability

Sub-section 6C – Stability tests and stability information

Edition 2.4

Commenced 1 January 2023

The National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Sub-section C6C specifies the requirements for: 

a) stability tests conducted for the purpose of establishing and verifying a vessel’s stability characteristics; and  

b) stability information provided for the use of persons who have a responsibility for the safety of the vessel. 

This Sub-section shall be read in conjunction with: 

• NSCV Sub-section C6A—Intact Stability Requirements, and 
• NSCV Sub-section C6B—Buoyancy and Stability After Flooding.  

This Sub-section should also be read in conjunction with Marine Order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements — national law). 

This Sub-section applies to all vessels other than Special Vessels provided for in NSCV Part F of this standard, unless NSCV Part F specifies otherwise. 

This NSCV was updated as a result of the NSCV Omnibus amendments instrument No 1, 2022 (AMSA has made minor editorial amendments to eight NSCVs to address consequential amendments resulting from the revocation of NSCV Part D).

Summary of changes:

[1] In clause 1.4 Referenced Documents:

Remove “Part D—Crew Competencies.”

Add

“Marine Order 505 – (Certificates of Competency – National Law) 2022 (Marine Order 505).”

[2] In clause 2.8 Stability information to be suitable for use by the operator (b):

Replace “see NSCV Part D” here:

“in a form easily understood by the persons responsible for maintaining the stability of the vessel, taking into account their required levels of competence, (see NSCV Part D).”

With

 “in a form easily understood by the persons responsible for maintaining the stability of the vessel, taking into account the required level of competence for a person in command of a vessel of that length (see Marine Order 505).”

[3] In clause 5.4.6.2 Abbreviated stability calculation methods note:

Replace

“NOTE: Competencies specified for Master 4, Master 5, Skipper 2, Skipper 3 and Coxswain deck officers do not require them to verify stability by calculating a comprehensive loading condition, refer to NSCV Part D.”

With

“NOTE: Competencies specified for deck officers holding a Master 45m NC or lower grade of Certificate of Competency do not require them to verify stability by calculating a comprehensive loading condition, refer to Marine Order 505.”

[4] In clause M3.1 Information be aimed at competence of user:

Substitute “NSCV Part D” here:

“The Information relevant to buoyancy and stability after flooding provided to the operator shall be kept concise and in a form readily understood by persons having competencies corresponding to the minimum levels prescribed by Part D of this standard.”

with

“The Information relevant to buoyancy and stability after flooding provided to the operator shall be kept concise and in a form readily understood by persons having competencies corresponding to the minimum levels prescribed by Marine Order 505.”

The full list of changes is available via the following link:: NSCV Omnibus amendments instrument No1 2021 PDF518.45 KB.

• NSCV Part C: Design and construction 
• MO504 -Certificates of operation and operation requirements - national law. 
• NSCV Part F: Special vessels

Generic equivalent solution:

• Application of ISO 12217 Part 2 ‘small craft – stability and buoyancy assessment and categorisation – sailing boats of hull length greater than or equal to 6 metres’

Policy and Regulation 

To provide feedback or report issues / errors with this or any other any NSCV or related webpages, contact us at  NSCVfeedback@amsa.gov.au 

Please include the name and clause number of the NSCV in the email.

For questions that relate to an application please email dcvsurvey@amsa.gov.au