Skip to main content

Stability and inclining test of ships and boats

apply for confirmation of stability test

On this page

If there is any difference between the Icelandic and the English text, the Icelandic version is valid.

The Icelandic Transport Authority shall ensure that ships comply with the stability requirements and that all decked vessels are required to undergo an inclining test before being entered on the Ships Registry.

Inclining test

Every ship, before being entered on the Ships Registry, shall be subject to inclining test to determine its actual centre of gravity.

Also, ships which have been subject to modifications must go through an inclining test.

During the inclining test, the ship is inclined by transferring weights between the ship's sides, and the inclination of the ship is measured to determine the ship's characteristics. Following the inclining test, the following documentation must be sent to the Icelandic Transport Authority:

  • a report on the test.

  • stability manual for the ship.

Undecked boats of less than 15 m in length

For undecked boats of 15 m or under, either an inclining test or an overturning test may be carried out. The overturning test is conducted as follows:

  • mooring is kept in a slack position and a boat is free from the pier.

  • the boat is inclined from one side to the other

  • when the boat has reached a suitable incline (2-6 degrees), the boat is allowed to roll freely.

  • the total time taken for the boat to roll 4 complete rolls is measured (one roll is between port-starboard-port or vice versa) and the time of one roll in seconds is determined by dividing the number of rolls by the total time.

  • if the time of a single roll exceeds the width of the boat, it is considered necessary to have the boat stabilized by a professional.

Supplementary material on ship stability

Cost

Costs for the review of stability data is in accordance with the tariff of the Icelandic Transport Authority and is paid by the shipowner. Fees are hourly based for the work required to review the stability data.

Legal basis
  • Ship Act  No. 66/2021

  • Regulation No. 592/1994 on the construction, design and equipment of vessels with an overall length of up to 15 metres 

  • Regulation No. 122/2004 on the safety of fishing vessels of 15 m in length overall and over

  • Regulation No. 666/2001 on the safety of passenger ships engaged on domestic voyages



apply for confirmation of stability test