The 2nd assistant engineer has just finished fueling operations. After entering the fuel data into the loading computer you notice a greater than allowable at-sea bending stress. After the chief mate checks the voyage cargo data the vessel still has an excessive at-sea hogging bending stress. As Chief Engineer and after consulting with the Chief Mate, what should your instructions be to reduce the bending moment when ballasting the vessel?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option A: Add ballast to an amidships tank.. Hogging occurs when the vessel's ends droop relative to the midship section. Adding weight amidships increases the downward force at the center, effectively counteracting the upward buoyancy force at the midsection and reducing the longitudinal bending moment to within acceptable structural limits for safe at-sea operations.