PurposeThe high rate of ship casualties demands serious attention. Earlier studies have yet to integrate several scenarios in an experiment. This research aims to determine damage to a ship's hull that is assumed to have been stranded due to being hit by a rock under the sea.Design/methodology/approachThis scenario was analyzed by conducting a penetration test simulation using the ANSYS LS DYNA. Modeling was carried out with core, speed, indenter shape and indenter angle variations. The test is carried out by moving the indenter against the plate until the plate is damaged.FindingsThe results of this research show that the round indenter gave the best results in testing, while changes in speed below 1.5 m/s did not significantly affect the results. The contact angle of the indenter to the panel is directly proportional to the damage to the panel, and core X has the best results in the test.Originality/valueThis work presented several proposed eccentric sandwich panels to calculate their performance against impact loading. The detailed geometry for future reference is presented, while the indenter-panel interactions are validated based on experimental work.