Some emergency measures to prevent ship sinking

(Baonghean.vn) - Collision accidents often bring about very catastrophic consequences. In addition to causing damage to people and property, collision accidents can lead to environmental destruction, affecting human life. Therefore, research and analysis of collision accidents plays a very important role in minimizing the accidents that can occur in ship control.

When a ship collides, runs aground or when a large amount of water enters the ship through an open part of the hull in bad weather, many cases of capsize, sink or other disasters lead to total loss. In these factors, the important issue is to find the leak as soon as possible and take appropriate action. When a leak occurs, self-rescue measures must be urgently applied.

1. Order of work for rescuing ships

- Detect damaged hull, determine location and size of water entering the ship;

- Take all measures to prevent and limit water from entering the ship, from spreading to other compartments of the ship and throughout the ship;

- Pump water out of the ship;

- Strengthen and firmly secure the newly punctured positions, ensuring maximum watertightness with specialized anti-sinking, supporting and fixing tools;

- Restores watertightness of ship's walls, supports and increases the durability of horizontal and vertical connections.

Illustration photo.

2. Rescue operations

The rescue operation must be carried out simultaneously, including remote technical advice assistance so that the distressed vehicle can self-repair while waiting for direct support and assistance;

For small holes, the main techniques are usually used to repair the hole:

- Using equipment and materials to plug holes: For small holes in the hull, people can use specialized equipment to plug the holes, preventing water from entering the ship, including:

+ Soft pads (anti-puncture mats, blankets), semi-hard pads: Used to cover holes and cracks in places where other devices cannot be used;

+ Hard pads: To seal holes in the bulkhead, flat side with broken curled edges bent inwards or outwards; seal from inside the ship;

+ Valve-shaped metal gasket: To seal small holes, can be sealed from the inside out as well as from the outside in;

+ Folded steel plate: Used to cover small holes on the ship's side, the edges of the hole are curled inward;

+ Wooden plugs: Used to temporarily plug small holes in the hull and bulkheads;

+ Auxiliary equipment and tools: Support column, universal clamp, turnbuckle, T-shaped swivel head...

Rescue ship towing fishing boat of fishermen from central Vietnam that was sunk in Hoang Sa waters. Illustrative photo

After plugging the hole with the above equipment and tools, it is necessary to reinforce the hole by reinforcing the support column, pouring concrete, electric welding... to increase the load-bearing capacity of the plugged hole;

- With large holes, the ability to seal the hole of the ship is impossible, measures must be taken to save the ship:

+ Hook method: Using a cable wrapped around the lower part of the ship in distress, both ends of the cable are tied to lifebuoys;

+ Tie the rope to a fixed object: One end of the rope is tied to a flange or a fixed, sturdy structure of the ship, the other end is connected to a lifebuoy;

+ Using rescue ships: Two rescue ships (2 other fishing boats) are mobilized to a position along the side, parallel to the ship in distress at a suitable distance, then the cable is threaded under the ship in distress and fixed to the two rescue ships; note that the rope can be removed immediately in case of an unexpected situation;

+ Use another ship to pull the bow and drop the net from the bow of the wrecked ship;

+ Landing method: If possible, proceed to bring or guide the distressed vessel to shallow water with suitable bottom for beaching.

3.Rescue the crew

In case of emergency when the ship is flooded and cannot save itself or when there is a risk of the ship being in danger such as capsizing or sinking, it is necessary to send a distress call to the authorities for help and neighboring ships will also receive the distress message and will provide assistance.

The crew will be instructed to lower the lifeboats because in many cases they cannot be lowered due to the ship being punctured and listing; life jackets must be worn when entering the water. When the ship takes on water, stop the ship; if bad weather occurs, keep the ship running and steer the ship against the waves and wind.

Rescue forces save shipwrecked sailors at sea. Illustrative photo

Ships operate independently at sea and move frequently, so fire fighting on ships is different from fire fighting on shore.

Another problem is that the structure of the ship is strong and complex, so it is difficult to put out a fire on board. Another dangerous problem is that a fire on board can lead to the ship sinking or capsizing…

The main problem of fire fighting on board ship is to minimize fire losses in the safest way.

Everyone needs to be prepared to assess and act if any fire occurs.

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)