DownfloodingDownflooding is the flooding of a vessel's hull or compartment resulting from wa ter on deck.

In stability, downflood points are evaluated to meet regulatory criteria, typica lly presented in a downflood angle curve or as downflood heights. Downflood Points: Downflooding points, critical points, or key points are used in stability evalua tion to delineate extrema at which the vessel is considered foundered. Depending on the conditions being applied, the downflood points can be required at any openings (such as ventilation openin gs or exhaust casings), to the edge of coamings for watertight compartments (such as the edges of holds, scuttles or emergency exits), or to watertight fittings which may be opened as sea (such as portholes, deadlig hts, and watertight doors). Downflood Height: Downflood height is the heighth above baseline of the lowest downflood point for a given condition of trim and heel. This may alternatively be given as the heighth above the waterline to the downfl ood point. Downflood Angle: Downflood angle is the minimum angle (the lesser to port or to starboard) at which a downflood point meets the waterline for a given condition of load (di splacement and draught). Design Considerations: For the safest operation of a vessel, it is ideal to have no downflooding points , though this is generally not practical outside of submarines. Where possible, downflooding points should be eliminated or minimized in size. Where downflooding points are unavoidable, they should be placed as far from the vessels extremities as possible. Hatches should be on suitably sized coamings, and ventilation/feed air openings should be as high as practical above the waterline. These steps all seek to increase the angle of trim/heel at which they would be i mmersed.Care should be taken to ensure that fixtures, such as watertight doors or manhole covers, are adequately tested for leaks, str ength, and adequate structural support. The risks to mariners of inadequate closures are highlighted by the loss of the trawler Hope Bay.