Q7
(a) Describe briefly the significance of the factor of subdivision.
(6)
(b) A ship 120m long has a light displacement of 4000 tonne and LCG in this condition 2.5m aft of midships. The following items are then added:
(10)
Fuel 1500 tonne LCG 2.0 m aft of midships
Water 400 tonne LCG 8.0m aft of midships
Stores 100 tonnes LCG 10.0m forward of midships
Using the following hydrostatic data, calculate the final draughts:
Cargo 10000 tonne LCG 3.0m forward of midships
| Draught
(m) | Displacement
(t) | MCT1cm
(tm) | LCB from midships | LCF from midships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.50 | 16650 | 183 | 1.94F | 1.29A |
| 8.00 | 15350 | 175 | 2.10F | 0.60F |
Reference Answer
### (a) Significance of the Factor of Subdivision The Factor of Subdivision (F) is a critical safety parameter defined in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). Its primary significance lies in determining the standard of watertight subdivision for a ship, which directly influences its ability to survive damage and subsequent flooding. 1. **Definition and Purpose**: The Factor of Subdivision is a dimensionless number, always less than or equal to 1.0. It represents the maximum permissible fraction of the ship's floodable length that any single main transverse watertight compartment can occupy. The fundamental purpose is to ensure that if a ship sustains damage of a specified extent, it will remain afloat in a stable condition, without submerging the margin line. 2. **Relationship to Compartment Length**: The maximum allowable length of a watertight compartment is calculated as:
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