• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.324-331
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• 2024

The height of large car and truck carriers from the keel to the wheel house is 44 ~ 46 m, and as the car-carriers increases in size, it exhibits the 'top heavy' characteristic, where the upper section is heavier than the lower section. This study aims to estimate the maximum outward heel angle of the Golden Ray car-carrier (G-ship) during turning maneuvers for accident investigation and the prevention of similar accidents. The theoretically calculated maximum outward heel is 7.5° (at 19 kn, rudder angle 35°) with a GM of +3.0 m or higher, and 16.7° with a GM of +1.85 m. Meanwhile the experimentally modified maximum outward heel is 10.5° (at 19 kn, rudder angle 35°) with a GM of +3.0 m or higher, and 23.3° with a GM of +1.85 m. The G-ship is maneuvered during an accident at a speed of 13 kn, at starboard rudder angle of 10° to 20°, it changes course from 038°(T) to 105°(T) based on the instructions of the on-board pilot. At this time, the maximum outward heel is estimated to be between 7.8° and 10.9° at the port side, which is 2.2 times higher than the normal outward heel. In the IS code, cargo ships are required to exhibit a minimum GoM of +0.15 m or more. The maneuvered G-ship exhibits a GoM of +1.72 m. It is not maneuvered because it fails to satisfy the international GoM criteria and because its GoM is insufficient to counteract the heeling moment during the maneuver. This study is performed based on accident-investigation results from the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal and the USCG.