These are the major reasons ships sink

Have you ever wondered why ships sink? 

Just like wandering in your thoughts about how those gigantic aeroplanes take to the sky effortlessly without a brace. Everyone does, especially people whose expertise is far from anything aviation or maritime. 

Reasons ships sink are due to accidents, human errors, improper maintenance, and so on. 

Although various safety measures are always put in place by shipping companies, incidents still occur. Ships are structures that weigh thousands of tons and hundreds of metres. Their average lifespan is between ten to fifteen years.

Below are the major reasons ships sink:

1. Improper Maintenance

Ships can be at sea for a long period before going to the ports, either once or twice to deliver or load supplies. Harsh conditions, metal fatigue, and corrosion can damage the ship. 

Apart from these, if there is no regular maintenance, accidents are definitely bound to occur. Vessels with a lifespan of ten years usually get renovated once in two to three years. If not done well, systems can fail and could also lead to sinking and capsizing.

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 2. Negligence and Human Error

This is one of the major reasons you see ships sinking due to simple mistakes that could be avoided. When crews are fatigued or are not properly managed, they lose stability and the ability to concentrate. 

For instance, if an obstacle floating in the water is not spotted on time, things can go wrong. Also, wrong judgment of the technical aspect of a ship can sink it.

3. Flooding 

Flooding is the most common reason ships sink. Ships float with the help of the water. But when water enters certain structures within the ship, it creates an imbalance between water and the vessel. This leads to water completely submerging the vessel as it slowly sinks into it. 

4. Poor Weather Conditions

Poor weather conditions can cause a ship accident. A strong wind can create massive waves that can overturn a vessel. These waves can force the ship to lean or become unstable at different points. This forces the ship to lower into the water, then overpowered by it.

5. Ship Collision

A ship is a large structure that takes time to halt and turn effectively. In the course of this, vessels can collide with floating structures and other ships if proper precautions are not taken. If a collision occurs, the ship becomes unstable and can lead to loss of cargo.