The Law of Archimedes

If a body is immersed in a liquid, it suffers a loss in weight equal to the liquid, which it
displaces. Therefore, a floating body displaces its own weight of water.

If an 8-ton block measuring 4m x 2m is submerged in a saltwater density of

1.025t/m3, it will displace a volume of water equal to its weight of 8 tons.

Figure. 1 Law of Archimedes

Density. The density of any given substance is its mass per unit volume.

Density = Weight (ton)

Volume (m3)

Mass = Weight = Displacement

Density of Fresh water = 1.000 t/m3
Density of Salt water = 1.025 t/m3

Density of Brackish Water = 1.001 t/m3 ~ 1.024 t/m3

Extreme water densities = 1.000 t/m3 or .1.025t/m3

Densities in between freshwater and saltwater are what we call Brackish Water or
Dock Water density. There are some areas where extreme density of water the ship
floats go beyond saltwater density and lesser than fresh water density. A typical
example is insidee Panaman Canal where the water density the ship passes is
0.9954 t/m3. On the contrary, other sea areas kuje Red Sea, the density of seawater
reaches 1.030 t/m3 and even higher.

Density of water affects the ship's hydrostatic particulars in two aspects:

1. At constant draft, some hydrostatics particulars change as density
changes.
2. At constant displacement, draft changes according to fresh water
allowance (FWA) or dock water allowance (DWA) depending on the
change of water density.

Displacement. Is defined as the actual weight of the ship and all aboard her at any
particular time. It is the weight or volume of water displaced by the vessel floating
therein and is equal to the weight of the vessel including everything onboard. Total
weight of the ship can be obtained by knowing the volume of displces water
multiplied by the density of water.

Displacement = Volume of Displacement x Density of water

An example, an 8-ton box-shaped ship measuring 2m width x 2m depth x 4m length
is floating in saltwater. Her volume of displacement is calculated as follows:

Volume of Displacement in SW = Displacement (tons) = 8 tons = 7.805 m3

Density of water (t/m3) 1.025 tm/3

The 8-ton box-shaped ship when floating in saltwater displaced a volume saltwater
equal ton 7.805 m3.

Now, let's calculate her volume of displacement when floating in fresh water where
density is 1.000 t/m3.

Volume of Displacement in FW = Displacement (tons) = 8 tons = 8.000 m3

Density of water (t/m3) 1.000 t/m3

You will see from the above that at constant displacement, the volume of displacement
changes as water density changes. And since the volume of displaced water changes,
expectedly the draft will change proportionate to the length and with of displaced volume.

For a box-shaped ship, draft can be determined by dividing the displacemtn by the product
of length and width. But for ship-shaped vessel, draft changes together with trim of the
vessel. This is because of the shape of the ship is not like a box-shaped and shall be
discussed in the later part of this chapter.

In a box-shaped ship, being a symmetrical figure, volume of displacement is obtained by

simply multiplying the length, width and draft of the ship.

Volume of Displacement = Length x Width x draft

Deriving the formula, Draft can be obtained by:

Draft = Volume of Displacement = 7.805 m3 = 0.9756 m in SW

Length x Width 4m x 2m

While in fresh water:

Draft = Volume of Displacement = 8.00 m3 = 1.000 m in FW

Length x Width 4m x 2m

An 8-ton box-shaped ship will have an even draft of 0.9756 m in saltwater and an even draft
of 1.00 m in fresh water. The change in drafts from saltwater to freshwater with a value of
0.0244 m is the Fresh Water Allowance expressed in millimeters.
Therefore, at constant displacement when vessel passes in water of different densities, the
draft changes according to densisty of the water it floats. From above observation, when a
ship proceeds from saltwater to freshwater density, the draft increases according to fresh
water allowance (FWA) and decreases the same value when going from fresh water to salt
water according to FWA.

Lightship of the ship when she is at her designed light draft. It contains of the weight of the
hull, machinery, spare parts and water in the boilers. Sometimes it is called Light
Displacement or Lightweight.

Load Displacement is the ship's displacement when floating at her statutory loadline. In
total, it includes her lightship, cargo on board, non-cargo deadweight (fuel oil, diesel oil,
fresh water and ballast water) and constant of the vessel.

Load Displacement = Lightship + Cargo + Non-Cargo Dwt + Constant

Deadweight. This is the weight of cargp, stores, bunkers, etc., onboard a ship. It is the
difference between the light displacement and displacement at any particular draft or the
loading capacity (in weight) of the ship.

Deadweight = Load Displacement – Lightship

and, Deadweight = Cargo + Non-Cargo Dwt + Constant

Therefore:

Maximum Cargo = Deadweight – (Non-Cargo Dwt + Constant)

Non-cargo deadweights constitute the fuel oil, diesel oil, fresh water and ballast water
onboard at a particular time.

Constant is the weight of stores, spare parts, personnel and their personal effects,
provisions, oil and water in the engine room. These oil and water in engine room only
includes lube oil, system oil and water for boilers but do not include fuel oil and diesel oil for
main engine and auxiliary engine consumption.

Freeboard is the height of the side as measured vertically, amidship from the upper edge of
deck line at side, to the upper edge of the statutory load line mark.
True mean draft

True mean draft is the draft along the waterline that is measured at the center of floatation
or often called the Tipping Center. Center of Floatation (CF) is that point along the waterline
where the ship trims when weights are loaded, discharged or shifted within the vessel. It is
the center of the gravity of the waterplane area and is either forward or aft of Amidship
depending on the shape of waterplane at that particular draft.

In Figure 2a, the center of floatation (CF) is aft of Amidship (M) and the true mean draft is
measure at the center of floatation that is EZ. Distance MX is equal to FZ, the true mean
draft. The Amidship draft is the mean of port side and starboard side drafts that is YX. The
distance YM is the correction to Amidship draft YX to obtain MX, equal to true mean draft.
Distance MF is the distance of the center of floatation (CF) abaft Amidship. AB is the draft at
forward perpendicular and CD is the draft at after perpendicular, while trim is the difference
of CD and AB.

In figure 2a: FZ = MX ...true mean draft

MX = YX + YM ...Amidship draft

Therefore:
True mean draft =Draft Amiship + correction
Center of Floatation =LCF (positive when aft of Amidship)

Correction (YM) to mean draft is calculated by ration and proportion such as:

YM: Trim = MF:LBP

Trim X LCF = YM x LBP
YM = Trim x LCF
LBP
Thus: Correction = Trim x LCF
LBP
In Figure 2b, the center of floatation (CF) is forward of Amidship (M) and the true mean draft
is measured at the center of floatation that is FZ. Distance YX is equal to FZ, the true mean
draft. The Amidship draft is the mean of port side and starrboard obtain YX, equal to true
mean draft. Distance LCF is the distance of the center of floatation (CF) forward to
Amidship.

In figure 2b: FZ = YX ... true mean draft

YX = MX – YM ... Amidship draft

Therefore:

True mean draft =Draft Amidship – correction

Center of Floatation =MF (negative when forward of Amidship)

The correction to mean amidship draft is added when the center of floatation is abaft the
Amidship and subtracted when the center of floatation is forward of Amidship. When
Amidship draft are not taken, the mean of fore and aft drafts can be used as assumed
Amidship draft when minimal deflection is anticipated. Otherwise,

In both case, correction is calculated by formula:

Correction = Trim x LCF
LBP
Where: Trim = the difference if fire and aft draft
(+) trim by the stern
(-) trim by the head

LCF = distance of CF forward or aft of Amidship

(+) aft of Amidship
(-) forward of Amidship

LBP = length between perpendiculars

True mean draft = Midship mean draft Correction

Correction is added when positive and subtracted when its negative.

Exercise 1 -Finding true mean draft

MV "Philship I" drwas forward 12.30 m and aft 12.70 m at perpendiculars. Find the true
mean draft and corresponding displacement. Her LBP is 220 meters.

Solution:

(I) Find the mean draft

Find the mean draft of fore and aft drafts and trim.

Mean draft = Draft fore + Draft Aft

2
= 12.30 + 12.70 = 12.50 m, obtain LCF = 2.94 m
2

(II) Solve for the correction

Calculate the correction to mean draft as follows.

Correction = Trim x LCF = 0.40 x 2.94 = 0.005 m

LBP 220

Correction is added when result is positive and subtracted when result is negative.

(III) Find the true mean draft

Find the true mean draft by adding the correction to mean draft.

True mean draft = MD + correction = 12.50 + 0.005 = 12.505 m

Correction is added when result is positive and subtracted when result is negative.
When the true mean draft is obtained, corresponding displacement can now be
taken from the hydrostatic table in the loading manual.

(IV) Find the corresponding displacement from the Hydrostatic Table

Obtain the corresponding displacement of true mean draft (TMD).

1. Obtain the tabulated displacement and TPC equal to nearest less of

tabulated true mean draft.

From TMD 12.505 m, the nearest less tabulated draft is 12.50 m.

Increment is the difference between the TMD and tabulated mean draft
in the hydrostatic table. That is 12.505 – 12.50 m = 0.005 m increment.
Obtain the TPC at this tabulated mean draft.

2. Add the increment weight to get the total displacement.

Displacement at 12.50m = 76,416.26 t, TPC = 66.34 t

Increment x 100 x TPC = (0.005 x 66.34 x 100) = + 33.17 t
Displacement at 12.505m = 76,449.43 t
Sum up the displacement and increment weight to get the displacement
corresponding to the true mean draft of 12.505 m. It is a shortened method of
interpolation in obtaining corresponding displacement.

Quarter Mean Draft = Mean Draft Fore & Aft + (3 x Midship mean draft)
4
= 12.50 + (3 x 12.53) =12.523 m
4
Obtain corresponding LCF at QM 12.52m = 2.96 m

(4) Solve for correction

Calculate correction for quarter mean.

Correction = Trim x LCF = 0.40 x 2.96 = 0.005 m

LBP 220

(5) Find the true mean draft

Find the true mean draft by adding the correction to quarter mean draft. When
the correction is negative, it is subracted from quarter mean draft.
True mean draft = QM + correction = 12.523 + 0.005 = 12.528 m

(6) Find the corresponding displacement from the Hydrostatic Table

Obtain the corresponding displacement of true mean draft (TMD)
(1) Obtain the tabulated displacement and TPC equal to nearest less of
tabulated true mean draft. This case the nearest less is 12.52 m.
(2) Take the increment of TMD from the nearest tabulated mean draft.
INC = TMD – Nearest less = 12.528 – 12.520 = 0.008

(3) Multiply the increment by TPC and by 100 to get the increment weight
value. Add the increment weight to get the total displacement.
Discplacement at 12.52 m =76,548.95 t, TPC = 66.35 t
Increment x 100 x TPC = (0.008 x 100 x 66.35) = +53.08 t
Displacement at 12.58 m = 76,602.03 t

Sum up the displacement and increment weight to get the total displacement
corresponding to the true mean draft of 12.528 m.

Finding Average True mean draft

When loading or discahrging cargo or both operations is simultaneously handled, its
hydrostatic particulars changes as the daft changes deeper or lesser from the initial
draft before the operation starts. Using the initial hydrostatic particular on the basis
of initial true mean draft is too less value. On the contrary, using the hydrostatic
particlars at final true mean draft is too much of a value in calculation of final drafts.

The best way to find an accurate result is using the hydrostatic particulars on the
basis of average true mean draft (ATMD) of the initial and final draft conditions. This
will provide the nearest accurate results. Let us have an example to demonstrate the
solution.
Excercise 3 – Finding average true mean draft
MV "Philship I" is floating at initial drafts forward 11.50 m and aft 11.70 m in saltwater
density. She will load ger balance cargo of 1,000 tons in two holds. Find the average
true mean draft (ATMD).

Solution:

1. Find the mean draft

Find the mean draft of fore and aft drafts. Obtain the LCF corresponding to mean
draft.
Mean draft = draft Fore + draft Aft
2
= 11.50 + 11.70 = 11.60 m, LCF = 1.90 m
2
2. Calculate the correction
Solve for the correction to mean draft.

Correction = Trim x LCF = 0.20 x 1.90 = 0.002 m

LBP 220
3. Find rhe Initial true mean draft (TMD)
Apply the correction to the obtain mean of fore adn aft draft to get the initial
true mean draft (ITMD). Correction is added when positive and subtracted
when negative. Obtain the TPC corresponding to initial true mean draft
(ITMD).

ITMD = Mean draft + correction = 11.60 + 11.602 m, TPC = 65.67 T

4. Solve for bodily Sinkage or Bodily Rise

Calculate the bodily sinkage for loading or bodily rise for discharging.

Bodily Sinkage= Weight = 1,000 = 0.152 m

TPCX 100 6,567

5. Find the Final true mean draft (FTMD)

Add up the sinkage or subtract the rise from the initial true mean draft to obtain the
final true mean draft (FTMD)

6. Take the average true mean draft (ATMD)

Find the average true mean draft by adding the initial true mean draft

Average TMD = ITMD + FTMD = 11.602 + 11.754 = 11.678

2 2
7. Obtain hydrostatic particulars
On the basis of calculated average true mean draft (ATMD), obtain the
hydrostatic particulars as required to get an accurate result in calculation
when loading or discharging weights.

Obtain the TPC, MCTC and LCF at true mean draft of 11.68 m.

TPC = 65.74 t
MCTC = 1,008.20 t-m
LCF = 2.01

These hydrostatic particulars are used in calculation of drafts and change of trim.

Exercises A
Finding True Mean draft
(Answers in Appendix-B)

1. MV "Philship I" draws forward 11.20m, aft 12.10 m, midship por 11.66 m and
midship starboard 11.70 m. Find the true mean drafft and corresponding
displacement.
2. Find the true mean draft of MV "Philship I" drawing forward 11.15m and aft
11.35m.
3. MV "Philship I" arrived in port at draft forward 11.00 m and aft 12.30 m.
Midship drafts take portside 11.59 m and starboard side 11.63 m. Find the true
mean draft.
4. MV "Philship I" alongside in port draws forward 13.50 m and adt 13.90 m in
saltwater. She will load 2000 tons of bunkers. Find the average true mean
draft.
5. What is the correction to draft when MV "Philship I' trimmed by the head 60 cm
at Midship draft of 12.50 m. Calculate true mean draft.