DWO Cargo Operations & Stability 3

Question 1

During a heavy-lift operation, the cargo is considered to be transferred to the ship's crane when:

Accepted Answer

The hook takes the weight (cargo becomes weightless on the dock)

Answer

At the moment the crane takes the full weight of the lift, the cargo acts as if suspended from the hook—its center of gravity rises to the hook height regardless of the cargo's actual elevation.

Question 2

The 'solid waterplane area' is used in hydrostatic calculations to determine:

Accepted Answer

The metacentric radius BM

Answer

BM = I/V, where I is the second moment of the waterplane area about the vessel's centerline; a larger waterplane area increases the metacentric radius.

Question 3

A ship's GM is found to be negative. The SAFEST immediate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Lower the center of gravity by ballasting double-bottom tanks

Answer

Adding ballast to double-bottom tanks lowers G, increasing GM from negative to positive and restoring transverse stability.

Question 4

Stowage factor is BEST defined as:

Accepted Answer

The cubic volume (m³ or ft³) occupied by one tonne of cargo including dunnage

Answer

Stowage factor expresses how many cubic meters (or cubic feet) one metric ton of a commodity occupies aboard ship, including necessary dunnage.

Question 5

The purpose of dunnage in cargo operations is to:

Accepted Answer

Protect cargo from moisture and provide ventilation between tiers

Answer

Dunnage (typically wooden boards or mats) is placed under and between cargo to prevent moisture damage, allow air circulation, and distribute load.

(DWO) Deck Watch Officer Practice Test

(DWO) Deck Watch Officer Practice Test

DWO Cargo Operations & Stability 3