Description
The catastrophic consequences of unrecorded weight shifts were tragically demonstrated by the passenger ferry MV Sewol following its structural conversion. After being purchased, the vessel underwent modifications that added heavy passenger cabins and lounges onto its upper decks, which pushed its vertical center of gravity dangerously close to the point of failure.
To compound this danger and maximize corporate profits, the operating company intentionally discharged vital water ballast to create more room for heavy commercial cargo. To combat these exact types of dangerous compromises, international maritime regulations strictly mandate a comprehensive physical inclining test for every single new vessel over twenty-four meters in length.
#MaritimeSafety #VesselStability #MaritimeLaw #NavalArchitecture #CasualNavigation