Ship grounding

Severe grounding applies extreme loads upon ship structures. In less severe accidents, it might result only in damage to the hull; however, in most serious accidents, it might lead to hull breaches, cargo spills, total loss of the vessel, and, in the worst cases, human casualties. Grounding accounts for about one-third of commercial ship accidents, and ranks second in frequency, after ship-on-ship collision. Causes Among the causes of unintentional grounding are: • Current • Darkness • Tide • Geometry of waterway • War, terror attack, and piracy ==Recovery==

When accidental grounding occurs, the ship or its cargo, will need to be removed if possible. This is done for various reasons: • The grounded ship remains seaworthy so the ship is removed in order to be repaired and return to service • A stranded ship is unsightly • A stranded ship experiences significant stress on its structure and will eventually become a shipwreck if not properly dealt with • The ship contains hazardous material and can cause environmental damage if the material is released, which will eventually happen if stranded long enough • A ship might be removed to prevent unauthorized entry into the ship by locals • The grounded ship is a navigation hazard or otherwise obstructs a shipping route ==Gallery==

File:Ship Ground.jpg|The United States Coast Guard performing rescue operations for a ship grounded near St. George Island, Alaska File:Container Ship 'Ever Given' stuck in the Suez Canal, Egypt - March 24th, 2021 cropped.jpg|Container ship Ever Given stuck in the Suez Canal in 2021. File:Belgisch Ms. Limbourg op Hondsbont Zeewering bij Petten, Bestanddeelnr 907-1446 (cropped).jpg|Cargo ship Limbourg stuck on the Dutch coast in 1955 File:Grounded Fowairet 2005-8.jpg|Container ship grounded and broken in the river Scheldt ==See also==