Ballast on the Vessel – Definition and Pronunciation
What is Ballast?
Ballast is heavy substances loaded by a vessel to improve stability, trimming, sea-keeping and to increase the immersion at the propeller. Seawater ballast is commonly loaded in most vessels in ballast tanks, positioned in compartments right at the bottom and in some cases on the sides, called wing tanks. On a tanker, ballast is seawater that is taken into the cargo tanks to submerge the vessel to a proper trim.
Examples of Ballast
As a coolant, it also becomes ineffective, carrying a risk of droplet entrainment into the LNGC’s vapour system. On extended ballast voyages, heel ageing is a phenomenon that the operator must consider.
From “Strategies and Best Practices of Ballast Voyage for Liquefied Gas Carriers”.
A potential weak point might be the ballast tanks, where corrosion could become extensive if proper coatings are not maintained. However, records show that, in general, maintenance of the protective coating in ballast tanks is assured by the owners of the LNGC’s due to the high value of the vessel, easy of access and maintenance and the high cost of lay up for repairs.
From “LNG Transportation Risks and Essential Insights”.
Remote sounding of the ship’s ballast, FW, FO, LO, atmospheric drain and relevant bilge holding tanks, is via the Masasino system of magnetic floats rising and falling up a support column.
From “LNG System Features and Controls”.
Pronunciation of Ballast
