B6372 - Vessel Safety and Regulations

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide students with the fundamental physical and mathematical principles, as well as the analytical tools required to assess a vessel’s buoyancy and stability in both intact and damaged conditions, core aspects of maritime safety.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to design a vessel, or specific components thereof, that meet the required performance standards for the protection of human life at sea and the preservation of the marine environment.

Course contents

1.Course introduction
• Key concepts and definitions
• Scope and applicability limits

2. IMO Regulations (relevant to yachting)
• Introduction to IMO and its instruments (Conventions, Codes, Resolutions, Circulars)
• Main Conventions
- International Tonnage Convention (ITC 1969)
- International Convention on Load Lines
- SOLAS
- MARPOL (Annex I, IV, V, VI)
- COLREG
- other Conventions
•Main Codes
- Intact Stability Code
- LSA Code
- FSS Code
- Code on Noise levels
- Code on Alerts and Indicators
- other Codes
• Main Resolutions/Circulars
Practical examples/Case studies

3. MLC 2006 (ILO Convention)
• Main requirements
Practical examples/Case studies

4. Rules for large commercial yachts
• REG Yacht Code
• Malta Commercial Yacht Code
• Marshall Islands Yacht Code
• other codes
Practical examples/Case studies

5. Rules for yachts of less than 24m
• Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU
• MGN280 (UK): requirements for small commercial vessels <24 m (UK)
• other Rules
Practical examples/Case studies

6. Class, their rules and IACS
• Origin and functions of the Class Societies
• Main Class Societies in yachting (RINA, LR, ABS, DNV, BV)
• IACS
Practical examples/Case studies

7. Other technical and industrial regulations
• ISO Standards
• MED Directive
• other regulations
Practical examples/Case studies

8. Final exercise

Readings/Bibliography

- Extracts from International Rules

- Lecture notes provided by the lecturer

Teaching methods

Lectures and practical exercises will be delivered in person or remotely by the lecturer. Throughout the course, seminars will be held by highly qualified professionals, focusing on aspects of yacht design and the application of the relevant regulations.
Industry representatives will be invited, and shipyard visits will be organized.

The topics covered in the seminars will form an integral part of the course programme and may be included in the final examination.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be carried out through a technical stability exercise and an analysis/evaluation of the regulatory aspects related to the design of a yacht.
This will be followed by an oral exam assessing the project analysis/evaluation, during which the student must demonstrate sufficient mastery of the topics covered in the lectures and the choices made in the project.

Grading scale for the final mark:

18–19: Evident gaps in a significant number of topics covered in the course; analytical skills emerge only with the lecturer’s guidance; generally correct use of language.

 20–24: Knowledge of a limited number of topics; ability to conduct autonomous analysis only on purely executive matters; correct use of language.

 25–29: Good knowledge of a broad range of topics; ability to analyse and synthesise; solid command of technical terminology.

 30–30 cum laude: Comprehensive knowledge of all topics; full autonomy in analysing and synthesising issues related to fluid dynamics applied to yachting; excellent command of technical terminology.

Teaching tools

Electronic whiteboard and power point presentations.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Edoardo Gustaf De Lorenzo