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The free surface effect is a mechanism which can cause a watercraft to become unstable and capsize.[1]
It refers to the tendency of liquids — and of unbound aggregates of small solid objects, like seeds, gravel, or crushed ore, whose behavior approximates that of liquids — to move in response to changes in the attitude of a craft's cargo holds, decks, or liquid tanks in reaction to operator-induced motions (or sea states caused by waves and wind acting upon the craft). When referring to the free surface effect, the condition of a tank that is not full is described as a "slack tank", while a full tank is "pressed up".[2]
- ^ E.Lewis, Editor, Principles of Naval Architecture, 2nd. Rev., 1988 (The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers), page 93ff
- ^ Ship inspection maritime guide.