Capsize of Liftboat in Transit

Abstract

The 2021 capsize of the liftboat Seacor Power, with loss of 13 lives, has focused attention on the afloat stability of liftboats in transit. This paper presents a numerical method of simulating the dynamic capsize of liftboats in waves using time domain analysis and a commonly used computer program. Capsize of a similar vessel to the Seacor Power is predicted in 6-ft quartering and beam seas even without wind. Model tests are proposed to help calibrate calculation techniques and define limiting metocean conditions more reliably for safe transit of liftboats.