Name(s):
Risk of maritime accidents
Sea disasters
Capsizing ferries
Collisions at sea
Shipwrecks
Ship collisions
Naval accidents
Nature
The collision of seagoing vessels and ships running aground or capsizing may result in a grave loss of life, property, and in some cases in ecological disasters. Some of these disasters may be the result of unfavourable weather conditions; a defect which affects the safety of the ship; failure to follow steering and sailing rules of navigation and right-of-way; or negligence with regard to the observance of good seamanship, including the duty to carry lights or signals and safety equipment, to keep a proper look-out, or to take any other precautions required by the ordinary practice of seamen or the special circumstances of the voyage. Some collisions may have their origin in other accidents, particularly if a damaged ship does not sink but becomes a drifting object constituting a menace to other vessels that might strike it.