MCA CoC Stability & Cargo Safety 2

Question 1

What is the purpose of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code?

Accepted Answer

To regulate the safe stowage, handling, and carriage of dangerous goods by sea, specifying hazard classifications and segregation requirements

Answer

The IMDG Code is the international standard for carrying dangerous goods by sea, covering classification of hazards (9 classes), packaging, marking, labelling, documentation, stowage, and segregation requirements. It is mandatory under SOLAS for international voyages.

Question 2

What is 'securing of cargo' and why is it critical to ship stability?

Accepted Answer

Lashing and blocking cargo to prevent shifting in a seaway — shifted cargo creates a listing moment that may lead to capsizing

Answer

Cargo securing prevents cargo shift during rolling, pitching, and heaving. If cargo shifts to one side, it creates a permanent listing moment that reduces the vessel's righting moment on that side and, in severe cases, can reduce stability enough to cause capsizing.

Question 3

What is 'angle of loll' and what does it indicate?

Accepted Answer

An angle at which a vessel with negative GM finds a stable position of equilibrium on its side — it indicates the vessel is in a dangerous negative GM condition

Answer

Angle of loll occurs when a vessel has negative GM — it is unstable at the upright position and will flop to one side until it reaches an angle where B moves out enough to create a positive righting lever. It indicates negative GM and is a dangerous precursor to capsizing.

Question 4

What is the correct response if a vessel develops an angle of loll at sea?

Accepted Answer

Move weight (ballast, water) from high positions downward to lower the G and restore positive GM — do not ballast only to the high side

Answer

To correct angle of loll, GM must be made positive by lowering G. Adding ballast low down (not high) and redistributing high weights lower reduces G. Adding water only to the high-side ballast tanks first can make the situation worse by adding free surface effect.

Question 5

What is a vessel's 'load line' (Plimsoll line)?

Accepted Answer

A series of marks on the hull showing the maximum legal draft in different water types and seasons — the vessel must not be loaded below these marks

Answer

Load lines (Plimsoll marks) are internationally mandated marks showing the maximum loading depth (minimum freeboard) in different conditions: Summer, Winter, Winter North Atlantic, Tropical, Fresh Water, and Tropical Fresh Water. Submerging the appropriate mark is illegal and dangerous.

MCA CoC Practice Test

MCA CoC Practice Test

MCA CoC Stability & Cargo Safety 2