What is the purpose of conducting a draft survey or simply reading the draft marks before and after a significant change in loading (e.g. major provisioning, bunkering)?

A. Draft marks are purely decorative and not used operationally on smaller vessels

B. Comparing draft readings before and after loading/discharging allows a check on the quantity of weight added or removed (useful for verifying bunker/water receipts) and confirms the vessel's actual trim and freeboard match expectations from the loading plan — discrepancies can indicate errors in the plan or an unaccounted-for change in condition

C. Draft readings are only useful for vessels carrying bulk cargo

D. Draft marks are only relevant when the vessel is in dry dock

A. Only the Chief Engineer needs to consider this, never the deck watchkeeper

B. None — stability is fixed regardless of loading

C. Increased displacement generally raises the centre of gravity if weight is added high up, and free surface effects in partially-filled tanks can reduce the effective metacentric height (GM)

D. Additional weight always improves stability regardless of where it is placed

A. This only matters when the vessel is at anchor

B. Negligible — watertight doors below the waterline are rarely closed anyway

C. Only relevant if the vessel carries passengers

D. Significant — a failed watertight closure compromises the subdivision the vessel's damage stability calculations rely on, potentially allowing progressive flooding between compartments in the event of damage