Nautical Term: Ballast tanks
Definition of Ballast tanks
Ballast tanks refer to specially designed compartments located in the double bottoms of ships. These tanks are capable of holding water ballast, which is used to improve the stability and trim of a vessel. Ballast tanks can be flooded or pumped out at will, allowing for optimal load distribution and adjustments to ship’s stability as conditions change during a voyage.
Example usage: During the loading process of the cargo ship, the master determined that the weight distribution was causing the ship to list dangerously to starboard. The master ordered the ballast tanks on the port side to be pumped out, while those on the starboard side were filled with water ballast. This adjustment to the ship’s stability was effective in counteracting the dangerous list and ensuring the safety of the crew and cargo during the voyage.
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