eli5: how do ships no capsize more often?

Question

I know nothing about ships but I see videos of big ships getting hit by massive waves and the boats’ proportions seem to me like the boat should fall right over.

In: 5

Answer 1

The bottom part of the ship has “ballast” in it (water tanks, cargo, etc.) that makes it a lot heavier than the top part. Same basic principle as loaded dice.

You could probably turn most ships completely upsidedown and they would flip back over, like one of those egg-shaped [self-righting children’s toys](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hxUZgdL_GU).

Answer 2

The bottom part of the ship has “ballast” in it (water tanks, cargo, etc.) that makes it a lot heavier than the top part. Same basic principle as loaded dice.

You could probably turn most ships completely upsidedown and they would flip back over, like one of those egg-shaped [self-righting children’s toys](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hxUZgdL_GU).