Safety, Fire & Survival · Damage Control — Counterflooding
Deliberately flooding selected tanks/compartments on the high side after damage (counterflooding) is done to:
- ALighten the vessel
- BIncrease the list further
- CReduce a dangerous list and restore a more even keel, accepting some loss of reserve buoyancy✓ Correct
- DRaise the center of gravity intentionally
Explanation
Counterflooding (or cross-flooding) adds weight low on the opposite side to reduce a heavy list from asymmetric flooding, improving the angle and the effectiveness of crew and equipment. It is a calculated last resort — it adds weight and lowers freeboard, so it is guided by the damage control plan/stability information.
Authority: Damage stability; ship's damage control plan
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