The GHS family of software products all operate on the same principles. Hydrostatic properties, stability and other characteristics are computed from a geometrical model of the vessel in question. The model can be constructed using model-building tools supplied with the GHS software or imported from other sources in several formats. GHS is able to handle complex models such as ships with hundreds of tanks and compartments.

Several options are available for handling tanks in flooded, damaged and intact modes; and the effects of free surface in slack tanks are calculated as true shifts in the centers of gravity or by various formal methods if desired.

Grounding is modeled as points of added buoyancy of sufficient magnitude to restrain penetration into the ground.