Ship collision
Ship collision is the structural impact between two ships or one ship and a floating or still object such as an iceberg.[1] Ship collisions are ONE of particular importance in marine accidents. Some reasons for the latter are:
- The loss of human life.
- The environmental impact of oil spills, especially where large tanker ships are involved.
- Financial consequences to local communities close to the accident.
- The financial consequences to shipowners, due to ship loss or penalties.
- Damage to coastal or off-shore infrastructure, for example collision with bridges.
As sea lanes are getting more congested and ship speeds higher, there is a good possibility that a ship may experience an important accident during her lifetime. Higher speeds may cause larger operational loads, like slamming, or excessively severe loads, for example during a collision. Denser sea routes increase the probability of an accident – in particular a collision – involving ships or ships and shore or offshore structures.