Question 32 TK02 - Tank Vessel Assistant - Liquefied Gas

The Correct Answer is D ### Why Option D ("Shift bunkers forward") is correct: The scenario requires correcting the trim (reducing trim by the stern) while maximizing profitability. 1. **Corrects Trim Effectively:** Moving weight forward reduces the trim by the stern (i.e., changes the moment of the ship in the desired direction). Bunkers (fuel) represent significant, moveable weight on a large vessel. 2. **Maintains Profitability:** Since the vessel is already loaded down to her marks, moving existing deadweight (bunkers are required weight for the voyage) is the ideal solution. It corrects the trim without violating the load line regulations and, crucially, it allows the vessel to retain every barrel of cargo initially loaded, thus maintaining maximum freight earning potential. 3. **Legality:** Shifting internal weight does not change the total displacement of the vessel, so it does not cause the vessel to submerge past her legal load line. ### Why the other options are incorrect: **A) Discharge cargo amidships** * **Effect on Trim:** Discharging cargo near the center of flotation (amidships) primarily reduces overall draft (displacement) and has very little effect on changing the trim. * **Effect on Profitability:** Discharging any cargo directly reduces the amount of freight the vessel can earn, immediately harming profitability. **B) Load more cargo forward** * **Constraint Violation:** The vessel is stated to be loaded "down to her marks." This means she is at the maximum legal displacement. Loading any more cargo (adding displacement/weight) would submerge the vessel past her load line, making the voyage illegal and unsafe. **C) Add ballast forward** * **Constraint Violation/Profitability:** If the vessel is truly down to her marks, adding ballast (non-revenue water weight) would violate the load line (the same issue as Option B). Even if the vessel were slightly under her marks, adding ballast uses up deadweight capacity that *could* have been used for cargo (if more cargo were available) and carries non-earning weight, making it less profitable than shifting existing, necessary weight like bunkers.