A rational analysis of intact stability hazards involving small inland passenger ferries in Bangladesh

• DOI: 10.1007/s00773-008-0016-3
• Publication Date: 2008-08-13T20:27:13Z
• Authors: Kho Shahriar Iqbal; Gabriele Bulian; Kazuhiko Hasegawa; Md. Mashud Karim; Zobair Ibn Awal
• Keywords: Crowding; Adverse weather

The safety of inland passenger vessels operating in Bangladesh has been investigated. By thorough analysis of past accident data, the main causes of intact stability failures have been determined: adverse weather conditions and overloading, likely resulting in crowding to one side. Historical series of wind data were gathered and their analysis suggests that an increase in the wind speed presently used in the Weather Criterion in force in Bangladesh could be advisable. A model of a small passenger ship typically operated in Bangladesh has been analyzed in order to identify the most relevant hazards under intact ship conditions. A strongly jeopardizing effect of overloading under intact ship conditions has been detected when analyzing the hazard from the crowding of people to one side.