Nautical Term: Ballast
Definition of Ballast
—Any weight carried specifically for the purpose of enhancing a vessel’s seaworthiness. Ballast can be classified as either portable or fixed, contingent upon the state of the ship. Fixed or permanent ballast, often in the form of sand, concrete, scrap, or pig iron, is typically installed to counteract an inherent flaw in the vessel’s stability or trim, attributable to a faulty design or altered conditions of service. Portable ballast, usually in the form of water pumped into or out of the bottom, peak, or wing ballast tanks, is utilized to rectify a temporary defect in the vessel’s stability or trim, caused by inadequate loading or damage, etc.—
In a single paragraph, the master of an old wooden clipper ship is considering the need for additional ballast to ensure the vessel’s seaworthiness during an upcoming voyage. The master recalls that the ship’s design, while aesthetically pleasing, leaves the vessel somewhat susceptible to stability issues, particularly when carrying a cargo load that is not evenly distributed.
As the master ponders these concerns, he decides that it would be prudent to consult with the ship’
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