Question 11General Subjects - Assistant Engineer

70% to pass

Which of the following deballasting operations performed in conjunction with loading cargo could be accomplished without the use of a ballast pump?

ADraining a salt water ballast tank located above the waterline.
BFilling a salt water ballast tank located below the waterline.
CFilling a salt water ballast tank located above the waterline.
DDraining a salt water ballast tank located below the waterline.
AI Explanation

The correct answer is A) Draining a salt water ballast tank located above the waterline. This is because a ballast pump is not needed to drain a salt water ballast tank located above the waterline. The force of gravity alone can be used to drain such a tank, as the water will naturally flow out of the tank without the need for a pump. In contrast, the other options (B, C, and D) would require the use of a ballast pump to either fill or drain a ballast tank located below the waterline, as the water would not flow freely due to the hydrostatic pressure.