It is important to know the amount of weight and its location before the ship is built to be sure that when it is built it will have positive stability. Only through detailed weight estimating in the design stage and during construction can one be ensured that positive stability will be achieved and retained.

1.1 This guide provides recommended weight control technical requirements for surface ships and discusses different types of weight estimates, reports, and weight control procedures. It contains a weight classification that will assist in achieving uniformity by standardizing the weight-reporting system.

1.2 This guide is applicable to ships designed and constructed in inch-pound units of measurement and to ships designed and constructed in SI units of measurement. Whenever inch-pound units are shown or referred to in the text, or in example formats included in this guide, it is to be understood that corresponding SI units may be substituted if applicable to a ship designed and constructed in SI units, provided that whichever system is used, it is consistently used in all weight control reporting documentation for the ship.