With regard to ballast system operations associated with a dry cargo ship, what is meant by the term "ballasting"?

Correct Answer: Option C — Ballasting is the operation associated with filling ballast tanks to compensate for off-loading cargo.

Ballasting is the process of filling tanks with seawater to maintain vessel stability, trim, and draft. When cargo is off-loaded, the vessel becomes lighter and potentially unstable; adding ballast water compensates for this weight loss, ensuring the ship maintains proper immersion and structural integrity during the voyage.