What is the best method for controlling flooding in a compartment?

Shutting watertight doors and hatches is the most effective method for controlling flooding in a compartment because it directly prevents water from spreading. When watertight doors are properly sealed, they contain water within the affected area, allowing for more effective management of the flooding situation. This containment is crucial because it limits the extent of the damage and enables damage control personnel to work more effectively in the flooded compartment without risking the integrity of adjacent spaces.

While using a portable pump, deploying inflatable barriers, and evacuating personnel all play significant roles in managing flooding, their effectiveness is generally contingent upon first containing the floodwater. Pumps can help remove water once it has already entered a compartment, inflatable barriers can assist in redirecting water or controlling flow but are not a primary means of stopping it, and evacuating personnel is vital for their safety but does not address the core issue of flooding control. Therefore, by shutting watertight doors and hatches, you create a controlled environment to implement further water management measures.