ICE ACCRETION

Q1 - Describe the danger of icing to the stability of a vessel. (10)

It is possible for water to freeze on decks, superstructure, deck cargo, rigging and
even the hull in extreme cold weather.
The accretion (addition) of ice on a vessel causes an increase in mass
displacement, and hence increase in draught and reduction in freeboard. A
reduction in freeboard causes a reduction in the angle of deck edge immersion and
the angle of down flood.
Ice forms predominately above a vessel’s centre of gravity, the ‘top-weight’ causes
a vessel’s centre of gravity to rise, and hence initial metacentric height (GM) to
reduce. The rise in KG causes a general reduction in GZ. The reduction in GM
causes a reduction in the initial gradient (slope) of the GZ curve.
Ice accretion is rarely symmetric about the centreline, typically there will be a
port or starboard bias due to apparent wind conditions. A greater build-up of ice
on one side of a vessel will cause the vessel’s centre of gravity to move off-centre
resulting in list, a general reduction in GZ, and an initial negative GZ.
The net effect of ice accretion, particularly if asymmetric, is reduced stability by
all measures.

Q2 - Describe how the effect of icing on a vessel's stability may be determined

when a vessel is operating in severe winter conditions. (10)
It shall be assumed that there is 30 kg/m2 of ice on all exposed horizontal surfaces,
and 15 kg/m2 of ice on exposed vertical surfaces on one side of the vessel. The KG
of ice should be based on the vertical position of each surface.
With regard to icing of rails, wires etc. the mass of ice on lateral areas should be
increased by 5%, and the vertical moment of ice on lateral areas should be
increased by 10%.

Q3 - Sketch a vessel's curve of statical stability, showing the effects of symmetrical

icing of masts and superstructure (ignore change in draught). (10)
In this scenario there will be an increase in KG and a reduction in initial
metacentric height (GM). This will cause a reduction in GZ and the initial gradient
of the GZ curve. It is assumed that the vessel’s net increase in mass displacement
causes both an insignificant increase in draught and decrease in freeboard, hence
no change in the angle of deck edge immersion.
Q4 - A vessel operating in severe winter conditions may suffer from non-
symmetrical ice accretion on decks and superstructure. Describe, with the aid of a
sketch of the vessel's curve of statical stability, the effects on the overall stability
of the vessel. (35)
See sample solution for Q1.