U.S. Code of Federal Regulations
Regulations most recently checked for updates: Aug 27, 2025
(a) Owners or operators of oil tankers and offshore oil barges shall ensure that their vessels have prearranged, prompt access to computerized, shore-based damage stability and residual structural strength calculation programs.
(b) Vessel baseline strength and stability characteristics must be pre-entered into such programs and be consistent with the vessel's existing configuration.
(c) Access to the shore-based calculation program must be available 24 hours a day.
(d) At a minimum, the program must facilitate calculation of the following:
(1) Residual hull girder strength based on the reported extent of damage.
(2) Residual stability when the vessel's compartments are breached.
(3) The most favorable off-loading, ballasting, or cargo transfer sequences to improve residual stability, reduce hull girder stresses, and reduce ground-force reaction.
(4) The bending and shear stresses caused by pinnacle loads from grounding or stranding.