Flooding and its effects
When a compartment floods, the ship loses buoyancy and G may rise, reducing stability and changing trim and list; the lost buoyancy must be regained by the reserve buoyancy of the intact volume above the waterline. Watertight subdivision confines flooding to a compartment and is what may let a damaged ship survive. The Master knows the damage-control plan, the extent of damage the ship is designed to survive, the cross-flooding arrangements that reduce a dangerous list, and the bilge and pumping systems used to control flooding.
- Flooding removes buoyancy and can raise G, reducing stability and changing trim and list.
- Watertight subdivision confines flooding and may allow the ship to survive damage.
- Cross-flooding, where fitted, reduces a dangerous list by flooding symmetrically.
- The damage-control plan, the bilge system and the pumping arrangements are used to contain and correct flooding.
WARNING — Subdivision and closed boundaries decide survival A ship with damage but intact watertight subdivision and closed boundaries may survive what would otherwise sink her. Keeping the watertight doors and boundaries closed and maintained is what makes the subdivision work.
NOTE — Know what the ship can survive The Master knows the extent of damage and flooding the ship is designed to withstand, and the damage-control plan for containing it. That knowledge shapes the command decisions after a collision or grounding.