An anti-heeling system (Credit)

Ships are used for the transportation of goods and people. However, the main challenge facing ship owners is the stability of their vessels. The anti-heeling system is used to ensure that the vessel does not tilt or lean to one side. This system works by ensuring that there is a constant balance between the two sides of a ship. This article will look at some of the advantages of the anti-heeling system used on ships.

Anti-heeling System

An anti-heeling system on ships automatically detects the angle at which a ship heels (leans) and compensates for it, allowing continuous loading and unloading of cargo. This saves time at ports. This system consists of ballast tanks that are connected by pipelines and automatic valves. The heeling sensor sends the signal for a change in heeling angle to the master control panel, which then compensates for this angle by transferring water from one side of the ship to another. This makes the vessel upright. The anti-heeling system also uses level control switches, installed in the ballast tanks, to avoid overfilling and underfilling these tanks.

Types of Anti-Heeling System

There are two major anti-heeling systems used on ships:

1. Pneumatic system: This system used to quickly right a vessel is comprised of an air purging arrangement and a regulating valve system that forces air into the top of the ballast tank. The air is forced into one tank while being expelled from the other, causing water to rapidly flow from the pressurized to the emptied tank. This transfer of water is used to upright the vessel quickly.

2. Water pump system: This pump system includes an electric motor-driven water pump, a reversible or non-reversible pump, that directs ballast water flow between the tanks with remote-controlled valves.

4 Advantages of Anti-Heeling Systems:

1. Helps to facilitate the loading and unloading of cargo faster.

2. Reduces the time vessels spend in the harbour and saves them from paying port dues.

3. Prevent damage to the ramp, cargo, and containers.

4. Ensures the ship and personnel safety.

The importance of a ship's anti-heeling system

The anti-heeling system is an important part of a ship's design. This system helps to reduce the amount of rocking and rolling during a storm, which in turn reduces the chance of damage to any cargo or equipment on board. It also helps to keep the ship balanced so that it can operate more efficiently.