Loss of stability

Capsize and heavy listing incidents are result of stability issues. We combine practical skills from master mariners with knowledge from leading scientists and state-of-the-art software for root cause investigation and emergency response advice.

Temporary loss of stability may also occur because of wave response, resulting in rolling motions well in excess of the vessel’s design specifications. Due to their fine hull shapes, (large) container ships are particularly sensitive to these phenomena, generally referred to as parametric or synchronous rolling. Our services in this field include delivering the metocean data (wind & waves) and carrying out reconstructions, ranging from a verification according to IMO criteria to advanced frequency and time-domain computer simulation.

Maritime law firms call in our services in preparation of litigation to provide an opinion as to whether the ship’s stability was adequate and the vessel was in a seaworthy condition at departure or whether stability loss occurred as an effect of roll resonance, for instance, and if these situations were avoidable.

Car carriers and Ro-Ro ships are sensitive to stability loss. Over the last decade, there have been many serious incidents leading to imminent safety issues for the crew and the environment and causing significant concern for insurers and coastal authorities. (photo French Navy)

Stability loss may occur – for instance – due to cargo shift, seawater ingress into the covered cargo lanes, incorrect ballast operations, and hydrodynamic effects in certain sea conditions.