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Why predict Ship Squat?

It can be stated that if we can predict the maximum ship squat for a given situation then the following advantages can be gained:

1. The ship-operator will know which speed to reduce to in order to ensure the safety of his/her vessel. This could save the cost of a very large repair bill. It has been reported in the technical press that the repair bill for the QE2 was $13million plus an estimation for lost Passenger bookings of $50million!!

In Lloyds Lists, the repair bill for the 'Sea Empress' had been estimated to be in the region of $28million. In May 1997, the repairs to the 'Sea Empress' were completed at Harland & Wolff Ltd of Belfast, for a reported cost of £20million. Rate of exchange in May 1997 was of the order of £1 = $1.55. She was then renamed the “Sea Spirit.”

2. The ship-officers could load the ship up an extra few centimetres (except of course where load-line limits would be exceeded). If a 100,000 tonne dwt Tanker is loaded by an extra 30 cms or an SD14 General Cargo ship is loaded by an extra 20 cms, the effect is an extra 3% onto their dwt. This gives these ships extra earning capacity.

3. If the ship grounds due to excessive squatting in shallow water, then apart from the large repair bill, there is the time the ship is 'out of service.' Being 'out of service' is indeed very costly because loss of earnings can be as high as £300,000 per day.

4. When a vessel goes aground there is always a possibility of leakage of oil resulting in compensation claims for oil pollution and fees for clean-up operations following the incident. These costs eventually may have to be paid for by the Shipowner.

5. A ship going aground in a river can seriously curtail traffic flow of vessels in a Port and, of course, revenue for the Port Authority. By knowing the relationship between speed and maximum squat, Harbourmasters can greatly reduce the possibility of such an incident occurring.

These five points illustrate very clearly that not knowing about Ship Squat can prove to be very costly indeed. Remember, in a Marine Court hearing, ignorance is not acceptable as a legitimate excuse!!

Summarising, it can be stated that because maximum ship squat can now be predicted, it has removed the 'grey area' surrounding the phenomenon. In the past ship-pilots have used 'trial and error', 'rule of thumb' and years of experience to bring their vessels safely in and out of Port.

Empirical formulae quoted in this study, modified and refined over a period of 35+ years research on the topic give firm guidelines. By maintaining the ship’s trading availability a Shipowner’s profit margins are not decreased. More important still, this report can help prevent loss of life as occurred with the 'Herald of Free Enterprise' grounding. 193 lives were lost.

It should always be remembered that the quickest method for reducing the danger of grounding due to Ship Squat, is to reduce the ship’s speed.

Remember; prevention is better than cure, and much cheaper!!!