Damage stability analysis in particular flooding situations of a multipurpose cargo ship

Abstract

Flooding of ship compartments is a very common event resulted from ships involvement in marine accidents, such us collision, grounding or structural breakdown. Once ship compartments are flooded to an extended level, the transverse stability starts to be affected and if the situation become dangerous, it can become critical or failing beyond the lower threshold values. In this damaged situation, a proper and accurate calculation and assessment of stability is very important. Calculation of damage stability for flooding situations is a very important subject for those who work in design and operation of ships. However, the subject was treated extensively in respect of tanker ships and less in respect of multipurpose cargo ships. The aim of work presented in this paper is to highlight some particular situations of flooding of compartments on board a multipurpose cargo ship when the stability parameters are decreasing enough so that fails to comply with recommended criteria. The particularity of the study for this type of ships came from the fact that are fitted with large box type cargo holds which in case of flooding are generating large free surface effects with a high negative impact on ship's stability. Thus, four situations of flooding are presented and the analysis of stability parameters are illustrated in line with the actual regulations, in respect of damage stability, established by international conventions. Based on the results of calculations, the study gives recommendations regarding the actions to be taken in order to limit the dangerous consequences of such situations. The results of the particular flooding situations presented can be used to continue the improvement of design and operation for this type of ships.