Mr. Jakob Pinkster:

That is a good question. I will elaborate on the inclination test again. To get the weight spot on is very difficult. To get the centre of gravity spot on is very difficult. As a designer one generally has a certain spare or reserve weight, which allows the design to not get into trouble if the weight is a little bit too much or if the centre of gravity is a bit too different. If it is and if this results in stability problems then there is a problem.

In answer to the Deputy's question I will explain who is there for the inclination test. There are three representatives there: the ship builders who wants to check the ship they are delivering; the ship designer might be there - it is not always the ship builder sometimes it is the ship designer - and the designer wants to know if the design is right; and the shipowner is there or the owner's representatives because they want to know what the owner is getting. There is also somebody from the Marine Survey Office, MSO, in order to check it out and that it is being done properly because they are the ones who are going to put the okay stamp on it. It is a maximum of four parties who are interested; they do not all have to be there but I would say the MSO guy especially, the shipyard representative, and ship owner probably too.