Section 28(1) in The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Oil from Ships) Rules, 2010
(1)Every oil tanker delivered after 31st December, 1979, as defined in sub-rule (45) of rule lA, of one hundred and fifty gross tonnage and above, shall comply with the subdivision and damage stability criteria as specified in sub-rule (3), after the assumed side or bottom damage as specified in sub-rule (2), for any operating draught reflecting actual partial or full load conditions consistent with trim and strength of the ship as well as relative densities of the cargo and such damage shall be applied to all conceivable locations along the length of the ship as follows, namely:-(a)in tankers of more than 225m in length, anywhere in the ship's length;(b)in tankers of more than 150m, but not exceeding 225m in length, anywhere in the ship's length except involving either after or forward bulkhead bounding the machinery space located aft and the machinery space shall be treated as a single floodable compartment; and(c)in tankers not exceeding 150m in length, anywhere in the ship's length between adjacent transverse bulkheads with the exception of the machinery space and for tankers of 100 m or less in length where all requirements of sub-rule (3) cannot be fulfilled without materially impairing the operational qualities of the ship, the Central Government may allow relaxations from these requirements:Provided that Ballast conditions where the tanker is not carrying oil in cargo tanks, excluding any oil residues, shall not be considered.
