Question 3418 Deck General

The correct answer is B) suspend drilling operations and deballast to a 45 foot draft. This is the correct answer because when the waves are approaching within 2 feet of the underside of the spider deck, it poses a significant risk to the stability and safety of the drilling operation. Continuing to drill in these conditions could lead to waves overtopping the spider deck, potentially causing damage or even capsizing the rig. The prudent action is to suspend drilling and deballast the rig to a safer draft of 45 feet, which will increase the air gap between the waves and the spider deck. The other options are incorrect because A) continuing to drill while ballasting to a 20 foot draft may not provide enough clearance, C) waiting until the waves start hitting the spider deck is too late and risky, and D) reducing anchor chain tension would not safely increase the draft in this situation.