STCW Cargo Handling & Stability 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'metacenter' refer to in ship stability?
- The lowest point of the ship's keel
- The point about which a slightly inclined vessel rotates when heeled (Correct answer)
- The geometric center of the cargo hold
- The center point of the ship's propeller
Correct answer: The point about which a slightly inclined vessel rotates when heeled
The metacenter is the theoretical point about which a vessel rotates when heeled at small angles; the position of M relative to G determines whether the vessel is stable.
Question 2: What is 'angle of loll' in ship stability?
- The maximum angle a ship can heel before capsizing
- An angle at which an unstable vessel with negative GM comes to a temporary equilibrium on its side (Correct answer)
- The normal rolling angle in calm water
- The angle of the bow relative to the seabed
Correct answer: An angle at which an unstable vessel with negative GM comes to a temporary equilibrium on its side
Angle of loll occurs when a vessel has a negative GM and finds a temporary equilibrium at an angle to one side; it is a sign of dangerous instability requiring immediate corrective action.
Question 3: Which international code governs the carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form by sea?
- IMSBC Code
- IMDG Code (Correct answer)
- ISM Code
- MARPOL Annex III
Correct answer: IMDG Code
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, developed by the IMO, governs the safe transport of hazardous materials in packaged form by sea.
Question 4: What document must accompany a shipment of dangerous goods at sea?
- Bill of lading only
- A Dangerous Goods Declaration completed by the shipper (Correct answer)
- A crew manifest
- A port state control certificate
Correct answer: A Dangerous Goods Declaration completed by the shipper
The IMDG Code requires the shipper to provide a Dangerous Goods Declaration certifying the goods are properly classified, packed, labeled, marked, and declared.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a cargo plan on a ship?
- To assign crew duties during cargo operations
- To show the location, quantity, and nature of all cargo stowed aboard (Correct answer)
- To record the daily earnings from cargo transport
- To plan the ship's voyage route
Correct answer: To show the location, quantity, and nature of all cargo stowed aboard
A cargo plan is a diagram showing the position of all cargo aboard a vessel, enabling the crew to manage stability, trim, stress, and to facilitate discharge operations.
Question 6: What is 'deadweight tonnage' (DWT) of a ship?
- The weight of the ship's hull and machinery only
- The total weight the ship can carry including cargo, fuel, water, stores, and crew (Correct answer)
- The weight of the ship when completely empty
- The weight of cargo only, excluding fuel and stores
Correct answer: The total weight the ship can carry including cargo, fuel, water, stores, and crew
Deadweight tonnage is the total carrying capacity of a vessel expressed in metric tons, including cargo, fuel, fresh water, ballast, provisions, crew, and passengers.
Question 7: What does 'trim' refer to in the context of a ship?
- The difference in draft between the bow and the stern (Correct answer)
- The lateral inclination of a vessel
- The cleanliness of the ship's hull
- The angle of the mast from vertical
Correct answer: The difference in draft between the bow and the stern
Trim is the difference between the forward and aft drafts; a vessel trimmed by the stern has a greater aft draft, while one trimmed by the head has a greater forward draft.
STCW Cargo Handling & Stability 2
What does the term 'metacenter' refer to in ship stability?