Answer
A hull breach involving water ingress into void spaces, ballast tanks, or hold spaces threatens vessel stability, structural strength, and cargo containment integrity.
Immediate Action Steps
- Initiate ESD & Sound General Emergency: Stop all cargo operations. Isolate fuel, cargo, and electrical distribution to the affected area.
- Establish Damage Control & Dewatering:
- Start high-capacity ballast pumps and hold space eductors to combat water ingress.
- Isolate ballast tank lines to prevent progressive flooding to intact compartments.
- Assess Cargo Tank & Hold Space Integrity:
- Verify whether the breach has compromised only the outer shell/double bottom or penetrated the cargo hold/primary containment.
- Monitor cargo tank pressure and cargo temperature continuously.
- Maintain positive N2/ inert gas pressure in hold spaces to ensure no atmospheric air enters to form an explosive mixture with potential cargo vapours.
- Damage Stability & Stress Calculation:
- Input flooded compartment soundings into the Damage Stability Computer.
- Evaluate the GZ curve, residual stability, trim, list, and hull bending moments/shear forces.
- Transfer ballast internally to correct adverse list or trim if structural calculations allow.
- Emergency Reporting & STS Preparation:
- Alert the DPA, Coastal Authority, Flag State, and Class emergency response units (e.g., DNV EARS / Lloyd's Register ERAS).
- Prepare emergency Ship-to-Ship (STS) cargo transfer equipment if primary containment structural integrity is endangered.