Question 61 OSV01 - Master/Chief Mate - Offshore Supply Vessels

The Correct Answer is A **Why Option A ("A break bulk vessel loaded with palletized cargo") is correct:** The phrase "loaded full but not down" refers to a condition where a vessel reaches its maximum volumetric capacity (it is "full" of cargo, filling most available space in the holds) before it reaches its maximum permissible displacement based on its load line marks (it is "not down" to its marks). This situation occurs when the cargo has a low stowage factor (SF) or low density, meaning a large volume of space is required for a small weight. Break bulk vessels are designed to carry general cargo, which often includes commodities like palletized goods, manufactured items, or light machinery. These cargoes typically have a relatively low density compared to bulk commodities like ore or steel. Therefore, a break bulk vessel carrying a large volume of light, palletized cargo will easily fill its holds before the weight of the cargo pushes the ship down to its load line, resulting in the "full but not down" condition. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **B) A bulk carrier loaded with steel:** Steel, especially in forms like coils or plates, is extremely dense and has a very low stowage factor. When loaded, the vessel will carry its maximum permissible weight (meaning it will be "down" to its load line) while leaving significant volume empty in the holds (meaning it will *not* be "full"). This is the classic "down but not full" scenario. * **C) A bulk carrier loaded with heavy ore:** Heavy ores (like iron ore) are among the densest cargoes a ship carries. Like steel, they have a very low stowage factor. A vessel carrying heavy ore will always reach its maximum allowable draft/weight very quickly, filling the lower holds completely and leaving upper hold space empty. This results in a severe "down but not full" condition. * **D) A tanker loaded with heavy grain:** While grain (such as wheat or corn) is generally considered a low-to-medium density cargo, tankers are specialized vessels designed to carry liquids in full-depth tanks. The limiting factor for a tanker is usually weight (displacement). Furthermore, the concept of being "full but not down" usually applies to dry cargo vessels where volumetric capacity is a constraint. A tanker’s tanks are usually filled to ensure stability and minimize free surface effect, making it inherently difficult to load a tanker with a medium-density cargo like grain and have it be volume-limited while remaining significantly above its load line. Grain density is typically high enough that the vessel would likely be near or at its marks, or the nature of the vessel (tanker) and the need to fill tanks complicates the standard application of the "full but not down" principle.