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What is Boat Capsizing?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Boat capsizing is a boating emergency which occurs when a boat tips over so far that it becomes unable to move. Classically, a boat must tip by 90 degrees or more to be considered capsized. The process of stabilizing a capsized boat and tipping it back into place is known as righting. If a boat actually flips over so that the keel is turned toward the sky, it has “turned turtle,” and it can be extremely difficult to get the boat righted again.
The smaller a boat is, the more likely boat capsizing will be, but large boats and even giant ships are not exempt. A wide variety of factors can cause a boat to capsize, including rough waves, high winds, and poor handling. Most boats can right themselves when they become 30 degrees or less off balance, because the weight of the ship is designed to promote an upright position. Some ships are capable of self-righting at more extreme angles, and these boats are often recommended for use by people who are just learning to sail, as they can be safer to handle.
When boat capsizing occurs, it poses a number of dangers. The craft could suffer severe structural damage, such as losing its mast or sections of the body, and it could potentially flood and sink, as for example when open portholes fill with water as the ship capsizes. Capsizing can also result in flooding of parts of the boat, which will be messy even if doesn't cause serious damage, and on boats with electronic components, boat capsizing could create a fault in the electrical systems.
It is possible to right a boat which has been capsized. Small boats like canoes and kayaks can often be righted by a single person, while larger craft may require the efforts of more people. Boating safety organizations sometimes recommend that people deliberately capsize their boats under supervision in safe, calm waters so that they can get an idea of what capsizing feels like, and how a particular boat handles, as each boat capsizes differently. Experiencing the event once can also make people feel more comfortable when it happens in an unplanned situation.
Some notable historic capsizings include that of the Andrea Doria in 1956, and the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor in 1941. The fates of these large ships illustrate the fact that no craft is entirely immune to capsizing, and that all sailors can benefit from safety training so that they know what to do in a boat capsizing, and how to avoid conditions which can cause a boat to capsize.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WikiMotors researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WikiMotors researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...AS FEATURED ON:
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![Small boats with hulls that are deeper than they are wide at the beam often have long keels to keep them from capsizing.]()
By: acnaleksySmall boats with hulls that are deeper than they are wide at the beam often have long keels to keep them from capsizing. -
![Modern lifeboats have broad beams and decks that can be sealed off to prevent them from capsizing or being swamped.]()
By: WimbledonModern lifeboats have broad beams and decks that can be sealed off to prevent them from capsizing or being swamped. -
![If a kayak capsizes, one person often can flip it back over.]()
By: Janet WallIf a kayak capsizes, one person often can flip it back over. -
![As canoes can easily capsize, paddlers must be careful when shifting their weight about such a boat.]()
By: Shchipkova ElenaAs canoes can easily capsize, paddlers must be careful when shifting their weight about such a boat. -
![Rough waves can sometimes cause a boat to capsize.]()
By: SportlibraryRough waves can sometimes cause a boat to capsize.
Discussion Comments
One of my favorite movies of all time is the original Poseidon Adventure. It is about a cruise liner that ends up capsizing because of a monsoon wave.
There is an amazingly scary scene when the boat first starts to capsize. Most of the guests are gathered in a grand ballroom having a wild party. Suddenly the boat starts to shift, fires break out and men and women in fancy evening dress start scrambling for their lives, most perishing. It really captures the horror of a moment like that.
Once I was at a big cove party and I saw a boat capsize and sink. I am not sure exactly what happened but I know that it involved a bunch of drunk guys. I heard a bunch of shouting and when I turned to look all I could see was the boat bubbling to the bottom of the lake. From my perspective it was kind of funny but I imagine those guys party was ruined.
I used to go to summer camp every summer and one of my favorite games was called tippy canoe. Basically you would pair up with someone in a canoe and head off into the middle of the lake. Seven or eight boats would show up and then we would all try to capsize one another.
When a boat was successfully capsized, the game became to get it turned back over and the for both people to get back in. It was really tricky but also a lot of fun.
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