First, is the lack of internal bulkheads.
As cargo needs to be able to move inside the vessel, there are a lack of bulkheads in the vehicle deck.
This means that water can enter rapidly if the vessel sinks.
Second, cargo access doors on the vessel are potential weak spots.
The doors can become damaged or twisted over the years, allowing water to seep through.
Another risk factor is stability.
As passenger cabins are built above the vehicle deck, the center of mass is moved up making it unstable.
Low freeboards are also a potential problem.
Cargo access doors fitted on the ships are often very close to the waterline.
This means that a sudden list can bring in a rush of water, which can lead to a capsizing.
The fifth factor is cargo stowage and securing.
Cargo can break loose if not correctly stowed or secured.
Investigation into the Sewol-ho ferry, in fact, showed that containers inside the vessel were not fastened properly, while some compartments did not even have securing devices.
The high sides of the ro-ros also pose a problem.
Lifeboats are stowed high up, making them difficult to deploy if the ship is listing sharply.
And lastly, the crew members. Ro-ros need to be handled with special care, which makes them vulnerable to human error.
The Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping convention also requires crew members to be able to fasten the freight, calculate the stability of the vessel after freight is loaded, control the cargo access doors, and be able to use the ventilating system on the car deck.
However, these qualification standards do not apply to domestic ro-ro ships.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.
