Some Notes on Risk and Safety Evaluation of Ro-Ro Passenger Ships Exploitation

Merchant ships vary considerably in size, type, general design and function. Some specific type of ships (Ro-Ro passenger/vehicle/train ferries) requires much more stringent regulations for construction, maintenance and safety than those for other. By law, a vessel in all loading conditions must satisfy damage stability requirements led in “The international convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974” - (SOLAS). The damage stability criteria has been modified in 1990, with additional, simplified stability information for the master. The paper concerns a selected aspects of damage stability requirements for Ro-Ro/passenger ships. This type of ships is characterized by flat vehicle decks which are practically open, un-subdivided, and additional passenger accommodation space. The ramp is fitted astern and in some cases in fore or side of the ship, giving access to cars, trucks and trailers, or specific trains which remain on board in their laden state. The dramatic loss of the Ro-Ro passenger ships: M/F “Herald of Free Enterprise” in 1987, and M/F “Estonia” in 1994, respectively, has resulted in international regulation requiring, amongst other things, strengthening the damage stability requirements for this type of ships. The more stringent damage stability criteria has been adopted on a regional basis by northern European countries (STOCKHOLM Agreement, 1996).