Question 1

Under the IMSBC Code, coal is classified as which cargo group, and what does that require?

Accepted Answer

Group B — a cargo presenting a chemical hazard including oxygen depletion, CO and H2S, requiring atmosphere testing before hold entry Coal is a Group B cargo under the IMSBC Code, explicitly flagged for oxygen depletion, methane emission, and toxic gas risk from oxidation. The 5.8% oxygen reading on Berge Mawson was exactly the hazard the Code warns about — the test was working correctly, the response to it failed.

Question 2

The yacht is loading additional stores and fuel before a long passage, raising the displacement significantly. What effect does this have on stability that you, as OOW, should be aware of?

Accepted Answer

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) Adding weight changes the vessel's centre of gravity depending on where it is stowed, and partially-filled tanks create free surface effects that reduce GM. OOWs should understand these basic stability principles even on smaller vessels without a dedicated loading computer.

Question 3

During a survey, watertight door seals in a transverse bulkhead below the waterline are found to be perished and not closing properly. As Master, what is the significance of this for the vessel's damage stability?

Accepted Answer

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 Damage stability calculations assume watertight subdivision functions as designed. A bulkhead door that cannot seal properly defeats that subdivision, allowing flooding to spread beyond the single compartment the design assumed — this must be rectified before further operation.