The stability requirements in regulation
4(b) are based upon statistical evidence that a vessel which
meets these standards will survive if circumstances cause it to assume
a permanent list of 12° in still water recognizing that, at sea,
the vessel will roll an additional amount to port and starboard of
this new axis. However, the statistical evidence was based on a sample
of ships which, when listed to 12°, did not immerse the deck edge.
Deck edge immersion has a strong relation to range of stability and
this factor is not, explicitly, included in the requirements set forth
in regulation 4(b). The footnote to regulation 4(b)(i) is a reminder of this
point. The following guideline is intended to emphasize that precaution.