WHO NEEDS THE MCA SMALL CRAFT STABILITY COURSE?
The MCA Approved One-day Small Craft Stability Course was originally launched to satisfy the MCA Workboat and Pilot Boat Code of Practice. It is no also a requirement for skippers operating on yachts and powered craft under the Sport & Pleasure Vessel Code of Practic. We recommend this course to the following;
- Master (Skipper) of any of the following workboats;
- A workboat which is required to carry a stability book (mandatory)
- Workboats operating more than 60 miles from a safe haven (mandatory
- Workboats carrying more than 1 tonne cargo (mandatory)
- Workboats fitted with a crane or dredging gear (mandatory)
- Workboats operating in ares prone to icing, i.e. Northern European winter (mandatory)
- Masters of sea going pilot boats (mandatory)
- Master (skipper) of any of the following yachts;
- A yacht which is required to carry a stability book (mandatory)
- Yachts operating with more than 15 people on board (mandatory)
- Yachts operating more than 60 miles from a safe haven and with more than 6 people on board (mandatory)
- RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore candidates (recommended)
- STCW Master 200 candidates (strongly recommended)
- STCW OOW 3000 candidates (strongly recommended)
- MCA Fishing Class 1 or 2 COC candidates (recommended)
- Skippers of sea going fishing vessels (strongly recommended)
- RYA Cruising Instructors (recommended)
- RYA Yachtmaster Instructors (strongly recommended)
- RYA Navigation Instructors (strongly recommended)
WHERE IS THE MCA APPROVED STABILITY COURSE RUN?
HOW LONG IS THE MCA STABILITY COURSE?
1 day, which includes a short written assessment
WHAT ARE THE PRE REQUISITES FOR MCA APPROVED STABILITY COURSE?
- Candidates must be fluent in the English language
- Minimum age 18
- Candidates should either hold or be working towards one of the following CoCs
- RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal
- RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore
- STCW OOW 3000
- STCW Master 200
- MCA Fishing Class 1 or 2
WHAT IS COVERED ON THE MCA SMALL CRAFT WORKBOAT STABILITY COURSE?
This one-day classroom course includes plenty practical demonstrations and exercises. While this is traditionally a mathematical/scientific subject our Instructor will assume you have no formal stability training, he will keep formulas to an absolute minimum and focus on ensuring you leave with a working knowledge of small craft stability. The course content is;
- General terms in use
- General Principles of Transverse Stability
- Location of CoG, K, M, CoB
- Rolling and shift of CoB
- Theory of Moments, Righting levers, List & heel
- Equilibriums
- Adding, removing and shifting weights
- Simple calculation of transverse stability and effects on draft
- General understanding of change of trim
- Trimming moments
- Longitudinal Metacentre & LCF
- Importance of monitoring of any changes, regular checks
- The Stability Booklet
- Stiff and tender vessels
- Use of cranes and shift of CoG
- Free Surface Effect
- Tanks
- Consumption of fuel and water
- Water on deck
- Critical KG calculations (Transverse Stability)
- Inclining Test
- Deck edge Immersion
- Catamaran stability
- Risks associated with Tug and Tow
- Risks associated with deck cargoes
- Wind & Ice accretion Effects
INCLUDED IN THE COURSE?
- Day of training (& assessment)
- MCA Certification
- CT Stability Course Handbook
- Motor, Sail & Fishing Vessel Stability Notes
- Use of model boats, test tanks etc.
- Tea and Coffee
- Free Parking
NOT INCLUDED IN COURSE?
- Lunch
WHAT IS THE TEACHING RATIO FOR MCA WORKBOAT STABILITY?
We run this course with a maximum of 12 students per instructor. Each pair of students has use of their own model boat, weights and water tank for the duration of the day to run the various scenarios themselves.