Definition
Progressive flooding is the spread or continuation of water ingress beyond an initial breach, opening, or flooded space. As water reaches additional compartments or openings, buoyancy, freeboard, and stability can deteriorate.
Why it matters
Progressive flooding can turn an initially survivable breach or heel into a capsize or sinking. It is related to, but not identical with, downflooding: downflooding describes water entering through openings exposed by heel or trim, while progressive flooding describes the spread or continuation of flooding after water has entered.
Related concepts
Related incidents
Accidents linked to this concept are grouped by vessel type.
- 2019-09-26: Bourbon Rhode (2019)
- 2017-08-21: USS John S. McCain / Alnic MC collision
- 2015-01-22: Nalani (2015)
- 2012-10-29: Bounty (2012)
- 2011-03-29: Mirach (2011)
- 2009-03-24: Lady Mary (2009)
- 2008-10-02: ROLLE (2008)
- 2008-03-22: Yao Hai and Neftegaz-67 collision
- 1997-02-08: LEROS STRENGTH (1997)
- 1984-11-17: Celtic (1984)
- 1983-02-12: Marine Electric (1983)
- 1975-11-10: Edmund Fitzgerald (1975)
- 1912-04-14: Titanic (1912)