46 C.F.R. § 45.55
Freeboard coefficient.
Cite as 46 C.F.R. § 45.55 (2026)
(a) For ships less than 350 feet in length (
L
), the freeboard coefficient is
P
1
in the formula:
P
1
=
P
+
A
[(
L
/
D
)-(
L
/
D
s
)]
where
P
is a factor, which is a function of the length from table 1 and “A” is a coefficient, which is a function of length (L), from table 2;
L
/
D
is the ratio of the length (
L
) to the depth for freeboard (
D
);
L
/
D
s
is the ratio of the length (
L
) to a standard depth (
D
s
) from table 3.
D
is not to be used as less than that which will give a ration of
L
to
D
that is:
(a) More than 15 when
L
= 400 feet or less, or
(b) More than 21 when
L
= 700 feet or more, with the ratio for intermediate lengths being calculated proportionately.
(b) For ships 350 feet or more in length (
L),
the coefficient “A” is zero and the formula is:
P
1
=
P
where
P
is a factor, which is a function of length from table (1).