How did cargo ships survive the storm in the sea?

If the storm cannot be avoided, large cargo ships should avoid coming too close to the shore so that they will not be hit by the waves and dissipate.

According to Popular Mechanics, storms are the biggest threat to vessels operating at sea . A large storm can destroy the largest and most reliable ships, including boats already anchored in the port.

According to maritime safety experts, in order to survive the storm in the sea, the first thing the captains need is accurate and timely weather information.


Cargo ships move in stormy seas.(Video: Sea Lad).

Today, captains can receive weather maps, satellite images and related information via email. Some ships have computer systems to build a route based on weather forecasts.

Good weather information helps boats avoid storms. At a speed of 14 knots, equivalent to 25 km / h, a modern ship can surpass the storm. The slower the train moves, the less choice there is to respond.

Upon seeing a storm approaching, the captain needs to choose where the surrounding cliffs or mountains should be located instead of immediately selecting the nearest seaport. At the storm shelter, the anchor is lowered with a chain to slack so that it will not be torn off. Ship engines can be reversed so that pressure is applied to the anchor.

In fact, choosing the wrong port to anchor the ship can be dangerous because the ship's wave hits the jetty. In some cases, the port authority may require the ship to leave before the storm arrives."Some ports are so dangerous that there are ships that choose to go to the sea, claiming that the sea is safer than in the harbor," said former captain Max Hardberger.

However, the most modern tools cannot completely eliminate the risk of ship storms. Strict ocean voyages with fuel costs of up to tens of thousands of dollars a day do not allow boat drivers to avoid any storm. Most modern freight trains are designed to be able to overcome most of the bad weather at sea to follow the cruise line.

The empty cargo vessel is the most dangerous vessel in the storm due to the lack of cargo volume to stabilize the hull. Ballast water at the bottom of the ship helps stabilize when moving, not a perfect solution for every case. "Ballast water can make a ship tilting 30 degrees on this side suddenly turning to 30 degrees on the other side after just 3.5 seconds," Hardberger said.

Picture 1 of How did cargo ships survive the storm in the sea?
When forced to face a storm, sailors will try to drive to the area with the lowest wave and the weakest wind.

The continuous smashes of waves into the hull are the biggest threat to sailors . If the waves are big enough and they are constantly beating for a long time, a modern ship made of hard steel can also be broken.

According to Hardberger, when forced to face the storm, sailors will try to drive to the area with the lowest wave and the weakest wind. In the northern hemisphere, on the left side of the direction of the storm is a safer place, while in the southern hemisphere, on the right side of the storm is where boats can aim to ensure safety.

When a storm cannot be avoided, the vessel needs to keep moving forward instead of being pushed away by the waves and wind. The driver holds the bow to the waves so that the ship is not overturned from the two sides.

In order to survive the storm, ships should stay away from all potentially collision objects that sink ships such as shorelines or reefs. Cargo ships choose to stay off the coast if forced to face a major storm, because strong waves and winds can throw large ships anchored near the shore onto the sand.

A good ship incorporating well-trained, experienced sailors and lucky elements can win a sea storm, Hardberger stressed.