Vessel Stability Law and Legal Definition
The term vessel stability implies the tendency of a floating vessel to return to its original upright position of equilibrium after being tipped by the forces of wind and sea. In order to maintain its stable upright position a vessel’s Center of Gravity must lie vertically below its Metacenter on the Center of Buoyancy line. A vessel’s center of gravity is the middle point around which the entire weight of the vessel is distributed. The total mass of the vessel will be evenly distributed so that the vessel will stay balanced. Metacenter is the highest point to which the center of gravity may rise and still permit a vessel to retain its positive stability. Buoyancy implies the water support which helps the vessel to keep afloat. The center of buoyancy line is the vertical line at which the entire upward forces of the water’s support may act.