capsized

Capsized refers to a watercraft overturning so the hull is not upright. It most often involves small boats, canoes, kayaks, and sailing craft, but can affect larger vessels in severe seas. Capsizing can occur suddenly or after a period of listing.

Causes include exceeding stability due to waves, wind, or abrupt maneuvers; shifting ballast or cargo; water on deck; hull or rigging damage; or collision. In sailboats, heeling beyond the design limit is a common trigger.

It is explained by stability concepts: when the center of gravity rises above the metacenter during heel, the restoring moment becomes a tipping moment, and the craft capsizes. Some vessels mitigate this with ballast, keels, flotation, or self-righting features.

Consequences can include entrapment, drowning risk, hypothermia, and injury. Rescue emphasizes keeping flotation, preventing water ingress, locating occupants, and re-righting or recovering the vessel.

Prevention includes proper loading, even weight distribution, wearing life jackets, reducing sails or ballast to manage heel, regular maintenance, and awareness of weather and sea state.