You are loading in a port subject to the tropical load line mark and bound for a port subject to the winter load line mark. You will enter the summer zone after steaming one day, and you will enter the winter zone after a total of eight days. You will consume 36 tons of fuel, water, and stores per day. The hydrometer reading at the loading pier is 1.002, and the TPI is 47. What is the minimum freeboard required at the start of the voyage? Reference Table BL-0005 below.

Question

Accepted Answer

Option B: 72.7 inches. Calculating minimum initial freeboard under 46 CFR Part 42 requires integrating dock water hydrometer readings, TPI, and consumption during zone transits. The vessel must not submerge its applicable seasonal load line mark upon entering higher-density zones.