Question 14General Subjects - Assistant Engineer

The correct answer is C) Ballasting is the operation associated with filling ballast tanks to compensate for off-loading cargo. Ballasting is the process of adding ballast water to a ship's ballast tanks to maintain proper trim, draft, and stability when cargo is unloaded. As cargo is removed, the ship's weight decreases, causing the ship to ride higher in the water. Ballast water is then taken on to restore the ship's proper seagoing condition and prevent instability. The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the primary purpose of ballasting. Option A refers to draining ballast tanks, which is the opposite of ballasting. Option B and D describe the process of redistributing ballast water to correct list, hogging, or sagging, which are secondary functions of the ballast system, not the main purpose of ballasting itself.