Q6 (10 Marks) Ship Stability 🔥 Repeated 9x in exams
SC&S • Written Exam

(a) Describe how the force on the ship's bottom and the GM vary when grounding takes place. (6)

(b) A ship of 8,000 tonnes displacement takes the ground on a sand bank on a falling tide at an even keel draft of 5.2 metres. KG 4.0 metres. The predicted depth of water over the sand bank at the following low water is 3.2 metres. Calculate the GM at this time assuming that the KM will then be 5.0 metres and that the mean TPC is 15 tonne (10)

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Verified Model Answer (Text Solution)

Structured for DG Shipping MEO Class II examination scoring criteria.

Exam Ready
Part (a)

When a ship grounds, the forces on the bottom and the metacentric height (GM) change depending on the grounding's nature and the ship's position on the seabed.

If the ship grounds on a level bottom:

  • A ground reaction force acts vertically upwards from the seabed. This force counteracts part of the ship's weight and alters the distribution of buoyancy forces.
  • The ship’s centre of gravity (G) may appear to rise relative to the metacentre (M) because the upward ground reaction reduces the buoyancy force acting on the underwater volume.
  • This virtual rise in G reduces GM, potentially leading to a list.
  • If the list becomes excessive and the righting moment is insufficient, the ship may capsize.

If the ship grounds on a pinnacle:

  • The ship experiences two forces at the ship's bottom:
    • A downward force due to the ship’s weight.
    • An upward reaction force is concentrated on the pinnacle.
  • The resulting force between the grounding pressure and the ship’s centre of buoyancy shifts downward towards the pinnacle.
  • This situation is similar to when the ship's stern touches the keel block in a dry dock.
  • A virtual loss of GM occurs because the ship’s inclining moment may exceed the maximum righting lever.
  • If the inclining moment is too great, the ship may develop an excessive list or even capsize.

(b) Given:

$$Displacement,\:\Delta=8000\:tonnes$$

$$TPC=15\:tonnes$$

$$Initial\:Draught=5.2m$$

$$Final\:Draught=3.2m$$

$$Ship\:KG=4.0m$$

$$KM=5.0m$$

To find GM

$$Uptrust,\:P=TPC\times Fall\:in\:water\:level\:\left(cm\right)$$

$$=15\times\left(520-320\right)$$

$$=15\times200$$

$$P=3000\:tonnes$$

To Find Virtual loss of GM:

$$Virtual\:loss\:of\:GM_1=\frac{P\times KM}{\Delta}$$

$$=\frac{3000\times5}{8000}$$

$$=\frac{15000}{8000}$$

$$GM_1=1.88m$$

Actual KM = 5.0m (given)

$$Virutal\:KM=Actual\:KM-Virtual\:loss\:of\:GM_1$$

$$=5.0-1.88$$

$$=3.12$$

Similarly, Actual KG = 4.0m (given)

$$New\:GM=Virtual\:KM-\:Actual\:KG$$

$$=3.12-4.0$$

$$=-0.88$$

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