Solving the continuing problems of bulk carrier losses still exercises the minds of many naval architects and others worldwide. Thankfully, each year sees some optimistic, perhaps modest, advance that makes bulkers safer than their predecessors. The year 2001 could, however, witness something new: a major change in the design of bulk carrier hatch covers. This stems from the results of the reopened UK government inquiry into the loss of the OBO carrier Derbyshire (following the underwater survey of the wreck in 1997 and 1998), which published its findings late last year.
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