>>1390254>hatch coversI too suspect they failed, but not due to being improperly secured - I suspect an inherent design issue
The longest lakers lack longitudinal stiffness, and while they don't break they definitely do hog and sag
As the ship was twisted and warped by the waves, a hatch cover or two probably popped off and the compartment flooded
My opinion is that they are far too narrow for their (frankly terrifying) length, and the canals/lock dimensional constraints have driven laker design in an unsafe direction
VLCC oil tankers and 20k+ TEU container ships regularly sail around the cape of good hope without issue, look at pic related for their typical beam:LOA ratio
I just hope that the new batch built in Asia that have to cross oceans to get to the Lakes are sturdier due to their greater height (which then poses a new problem, roll)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89Mw6L69b6Y 
