Cruise ship accident

I owe you one ...

Today while chatting with a technician while he was audio gauging some shell plate welds for class, I asked if he ever did any of the newer cruise ships. He said he did a lot of them and when I asked what the shell plate thickness was on the newer boats he said they were typically 8mm, even at the waterline as incredible at that seems. He said he had to do a lot of gauging because the shells are so thin now that heavy seas result in considerable damage.

It looks like building cheap and light is the secret to high profits and since those who buy cruises don't much care for old ships, longevity isn't a design goal.

The yacht we were standing under has 6mm shell plating at the waterline and is about 800 feet shorter.