Some emergency measures to prevent ships from sinking.

(Baonghean.vn) - Collision accidents often have catastrophic consequences. Besides causing loss of life and property, collisions can lead to environmental damage and affect people's lives. Therefore, research and analysis of collision accidents play a crucial role in minimizing the number of accidents that may occur during ship operation.

When a ship is involved in a collision, runs aground, or a large amount of water floods in through a hull opening during bad weather, the ship can capsize, sink, or suffer other disasters resulting in total loss. In these situations, it is crucial to locate the leak as quickly as possible and take appropriate action. When a leak occurs, immediate self-rescue measures must be implemented.

1. The sequence of procedures for repairing ship hull damage.

- Detect damage to the ship's hull, determine the location and size of water ingress;

- Take all necessary measures to prevent and limit water from entering the ship, spreading to other compartments, and dissipating throughout the entire vessel;

- Pump water out of the ship;

- Strengthen and secure the newly reinforced sections, ensuring maximum watertightness using specialized anti-sinking, support, and fixing devices;

- Restore the watertightness of the ship's hull, provide support, and strengthen the stability of horizontal and vertical connections.

Illustrative image.

2. Puncture repair operations

The rescue operation must be carried out simultaneously, including remote technical advice to enable the damaged vessel to repair itself while awaiting direct support and assistance;

For small punctures, the following techniques are usually used to repair them:

- Using equipment and materials to seal holes: For small holes in the hull, specialized equipment can be used to seal them, preventing water from entering the ship. This includes:

+ Soft padding (puncture-resistant mats, blankets), semi-rigid padding: Used to seal punctures and cracks in places where other devices cannot be used;

+ Rigid gaskets: Used to seal holes in bulkheads and flat sides with bent or warped edges; sealing is carried out from the inside of the ship;

+ Valve-shaped metal gasket: Used to seal small punctures, it can be sealed from the inside out as well as from the outside in;

+ Folded steel plates: Used to seal small holes in the ship's hull, with the edges of the holes bent inwards;

+ Wooden plugs: Used to temporarily seal small holes in the ship's hull or bulkheads;

+ Auxiliary equipment and tools: Support columns, universal clamps, turnbuckles, T-handle swivel wrenches, etc.

A rescue vessel is towing a fishing boat from central Vietnam that was sunk after a collision in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands area. (Illustrative image)

After sealing the hole using the tools and equipment described above, it is necessary to reinforce the sealed area by reinforcing the support columns, pouring concrete, welding, etc., to increase the load-bearing capacity of the sealed area;

- With large holes, sealing the holes is impossible, and ship salvage measures must be taken:

+ Hooking method: Use a cable wrapped around the lower part of the distressed vessel, with both ends of the cable tied to lifebuoys;

+ Securing the rope to a fixed object: One end of the rope is tied to a flange or a fixed, sturdy structure on the ship, the other end is connected to a life buoy;

+ Using a mooring vessel: Two rescue vessels (or two other fishing vessels) are deployed to a position alongside and parallel to the distressed vessel at a suitable distance. Then, a cable is threaded under the distressed vessel and secured to the two rescue vessels; note that the cable can be easily detached in case of an emergency.

+ Use another vessel to tow the bow of the distressed vessel and drop nets from the bow;

+ Grounding method: If possible, guide or direct the distressed vessel to shallow waters with a suitable seabed for grounding.

3.Rescue the crew members.

In emergency situations such as when a ship is taking on water and cannot save itself, or when there is a risk of the ship capsizing or sinking, a distress signal must be sent to relevant authorities requesting assistance. Nearby ships will also receive the distress information and provide support.

Crew members will be instructed to lower the lifeboats because in many cases they cannot be lowered due to a hole in the ship causing it to tilt; life vests must be worn when entering the water. If the ship takes on water, stop the ship; if encountering bad weather, keep the ship running and steer it against the waves and wind.

Rescue workers save crew members from a shipwreck at sea. (Illustrative image)

Ships operate independently at sea and move around a great deal, so firefighting on board is different from fighting house fires on shore.

Another problem is that the ship's structure is sturdy and complex, making firefighting on board difficult. A further danger is that a fire on board could lead to the ship sinking or capsizing…

The main challenge of firefighting on board a ship is to minimize fire damage in the most effective way possible.

Everyone needs to be prepared to assess and act should any fire occur.

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)