How do you determine the weight of the vessel that is supported by the ground when a vessel has run aground?

Correct Answer: Option C — Use the hydrostatic tables and enter with the mean draft before grounding and the mean draft after grounding.

The grounding force (or ground reaction force) equals the lost displacement of the vessel. Officers calculate this force by finding the vessel's displacement from hydrostatic tables at the pre-grounding mean draft and subtracting the displacement calculated at the post-grounding mean draft, accounting for any trim and weight changes.