I was a US Civilian Mariner (aka merchant marine) for 16 years or so and a licensed officer for the last 4 years. I recently changed professions due to a welcome addition to my family that I can't bear to leave for months at a time! I'm not here to tell you the Ever Given situation isn't meaningful, I think it is. What I can do is tell you what it's like to live and work in the industry, share my training and experience with large ocean going vessels. Basically I'd like to help dispel nonsense so we can all get to the truth and look good doing it!
I just got off work and I'm starting my weekend, so I'll be back to answer any questions after a good sleep.
What is the draft at the bow? When I looked at the ships stats it cites its draft as approximately 15 meters. Does that keel depth run the entire length of the ship?
Did it look to you like that had one of those big bulbs at the prow?
If the keel is 45 feet at the bow that would give us a huge hint at what is dug into the bank. And if its got a bulb then that is gonna be a mutha to float. They will need big floating dredges in there. An excavator on shore wont cut it.
Def got the bulb
It's called a bulbous bow. The idea is that the bulb rides just under the surface of the water and breaks the water tension to give a more fuel efficient cruise.
The keel is basically flat, but the trim is the difference between the for and aft draft. Usually they are very close. You've walked into something complicated... Let's just leave it as on a ship like that in conditions like that the draft at the bow and stern should be within a couple feet.