A critical look at SOLAS CH II-1 with respect to floodable length of compartments in RoPax ships

The paper presents findings of a research project (RP625) funded by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) with the purpose to provide evidence of equivalence, or lack thereof, between previous and currently in force legislative instruments governing damage stability of RoPax ships, with special focus on inboard spaces with low degree of subdivision, referred as long lower holds (LLH). The outcome of this research brings more clarity and reassurance to the industry and administrations when addressing the specific safety implications of new designs with such large un-subdivided spaces, specifically indicating that the present SOLAS 2009 regulations are able to adequately cater for ship design equipped with LLH.