Floatability and stability of ships: 23 centuries after Archimedes

Abstract

In this paper the main developments in ship buoyancy, stability and subdivision of ships since the milestone formulation of the basic laws of floatability and stability of floating bodies by Archimedes are reviewed. The continuous progress in the safety of ships as most effective transportation means and the links of the fundamental Archimedean studies to the modern naval architectural approaches to ship stability, design and safety are critically commented.