Hull damage

The consequences from hull damage are dependent on the size of the leak and its location.

Hull damage in a single hulled ship may lead to immediate spillage of the cargo. The result of hull damage of a double-hulled ship in which both ‘hulls’ are involved, will be similar.

If only the outer hull of a double-hulled ship is damaged, only the ballast tanks are involved. If they are empty at the time of the damage, seawater will enter.

Any hull damage, which leads to seawater entry, will affect the ship’s stability.

A breach in the hull will also lead to reduced structural integrity, meaning that the ship can sustain more damage or breakup.

When assessing the seriousness of hull damage and its location and extent, are the relevant factors. The relevant factors are:

• Slight hull damage: little or no water intake, ship still floating
• Medium hull damage: severe water intake, ship listing, temporary repair required.
• Large hull damage, very severe water intake, ship unstable; salvage assistance required bringing vessel into a port
• Very large hull damage: very severe water intake, ship sinks with and consequential need for wreck removal