The International Code on Intact Stability, 2008 (2008 IS Code) was agreed by the Sub-Committee on Stability and Load Lines and on Fishing Vessels Safety (SLF), when it met for its 50th session from 30 April to 4 May 2007. Associated draft amendments to the SOLAS Convention and to the 1988 Protocol relating to the 1966 International Convention on Load Lines (LL), to make part A of the Code mandatory, were also agreed, for submission to the Maritime Safety Committee at its 83rd session (MSC 83) in October 2007, for approval with a view to subsequent adoption.

The Sub-Committee also finalized draft explanatory notes to the 2008 IS Code, for approval by MSC 83.

The 2008 IS Code is a revision of the Intact Stability Code (IS Code) which was adopted in 1993 by IMO Assembly resolution A.749(18) and later amended by the MSC in 1998. The revision of the Code, to introduce a mandatory part A, has involved restructuring it.

The Sub-Committee also agreed a plan of work to further address matters relating to intact stability, including development of new generation intact stability criteria, such as performance based stability criteria. A correspondence group was established to continue work on intact stability issues intersessionally.

Safety of small fishing vessels
The Sub-Committee further developed the draft Safety recommendations for decked fishing vessels of less than 12 metres in length and undecked fishing vessels and referred relevant sections thereof to other Sub-Committees (including the Sub-committees on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue (COMSAR), Ship Design and Equipment (DE), Fire Protection (FP), Safety of Navigation (NAV) and Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW)), as well as the MSC/MEPC Working Group on Human Element, for their input.

Development of Explanatory Notes for the revised SOLAS chapter II-1
The Sub-Committee made further progress in developing Explanatory Notes to the revised SOLAS chapter II-1 and agreed that the definitive Explanatory Notes would be prepared by its Subdivision and Damage Stability (SDS) Correspondence Group, for finalization at SLF 51. The revised SOLAS chapter II-1 was adopted in December 2006, with entry into force set for 1 January 2009.

The SDS Correspondence Group was also tasked with developing draft Guidelines for flooding detection systems, required by new SOLAS regulation II-1/22-1; and considering the list of SOLAS chapter II-1 regulations identified as needing future improvement and making relevant recommendations.

Recommendation on evaluating cross-flooding arrangements agreed
The Sub-Committee agreed to a draft new Recommendation on a standard method for evaluating cross-flooding arrangements for submission to MSC 83 for adoption. The Sub-Committee noted that the proposed draft new recommendation was considered to be a recommended methodology that could be used for any cross-flooding calculation and was, thus, not directed towards any specific ship type or specific arrangement.

The recommendation is intended to revise and replace the Recommendation on a standard method for establishing compliance with the requirements for cross-flooding arrangements in passenger ships (IMO Assembly resolution A.266(VIII)).

Revised Interpretation of alterations and modifications of a major character agreed
The Sub-Committee agreed a revised Interpretation of alterations and modifications of a major character (revision of MSC/Circ.650), for submission to MSC 83 for approval. The revision relates to the definition of "existing cargo ship", which refers to vessels constructed before 1 February 1992, regardless of length, and before 1 July 1998, if below or equal to 100 m in length.

Improvement of 1969 TM Convention
Following discussion in the Sub-Committee, in particular on a proposal to introduce a third type of tonnage, a Correspondence Group was established to consider the development of options to improve the effect, on ship design and safety, of the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 (TM Convention), which provides a universal tonnage measurement system, allowing for gross and net tonnages. The group will also consider whether the TM Convention should be amended.

Survivability of passenger ships in the damaged condition
The Sub-Committee established a correspondence group to progress work on the issue of stability and seakeeping characteristics of damaged passenger ships in a seaway when returning to port by own power or under tow, to supplement the application of the new SOLAS regulation II-1/8-1 (System capabilities after a flooding casualty on passenger ships).

The correspondence group has been tasked with developing design and damage stability criteria for passenger ships for safe return to port by their own power or under tow, determining loading conditions, heel/trim and environment limits and, where applicable, establishing the extent to which damage control measures should be taken into account; and developing initial draft guidelines for operational information for masters of passenger ships for safe return to port, again by their own power or under tow.