The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #53803   Message #831891
Posted By: Gareth
21-Nov-02 - 03:32 PM
Thread Name: BS: Tanker sunk off Spain - Exxon Valdez 2?
Subject: RE: BS: Tanker sunk off Spain - Exxon Valdez 2?
Errr ! Kendal, only sealed compartments will crush. Where there are vents, such as on the bilges, cargo tanks, fuel tanks, engine room etc., the presure will be in equilibrium.

Perhaps your thinking of the crush depth of a submarine, when the intergrity of the hull is overwhelmed by the weight of water.

Virtually all parts of a cargo ship have some ventalation on them to eliminate condensation ( a major factor in corrosion ) and to allow for air pressure changes caused by atmospheric or tempreture changes.

On the other hand the force of the hull hitting the sea bed might fracture parts of the framing and plating. the machinery in the engine and pump rooms may be torn from the mountings by inertial forces when she strikes, This can destroy plating.

Gareth.