3 The importance of watertight doors
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1380 – Guidance for Watertight Doors on Passenger Ships Which May be Opened During Navigation – (10 December 2010) - Annex – Guidance for Watertight Doors on Passenger Ships Which may be Opened During Navigation - 3 The importance of watertight doors

3 The importance of watertight doors

  3.1 Failure to recognize the importance of watertight doors can have great impact on the watertight integrity of the ship and have catastrophic consequences. When structural damage occurs to a ship, especially during collision or grounding, there is potential risk for bulkheads and decks to be deformed, thus rendering watertight doors not able to be closed. The risk of progressive flooding following such deformation of the ship's structure may increase if watertight doors are either left open or unable to be closed.

  3.2 Another potential risk to ship survivability is when large amounts of water flood a ship, especially after extensive structural damage. The rate of water ingress, which depends on the size of the damaged opening and the water pressure, can quickly flood a compartment. It is therefore essential that a ship has sufficient survivability in case of damage, keeping in mind that when adjacent watertight doors are open, several compartments may be flooded as watertight doors have up to 60 seconds to close per SOLAS regulation II-1/13.5.1 (previous SOLAS regulation II-1/15.6.1).

Parent topic: Annex – Guidance for Watertight Doors on Passenger Ships Which may be Opened During Navigation
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