Centre of buoyancy – The centre of gravity of the displaced water.

That is, the

geometrical centre of the underwater part of the ship.

Centre of flotation – The geometric centre of the waterplane on which a vessel

floats. A vessel pitches, or rotates (about a transverse axis) through this point,
when moved by an external force.

Centre of gravity – The point at which the total weight of all the items which make
up a vessel total weight may be considered as concentrated.

Metacentre M (initial transverse metacentre) – When a ship floating at rest in still

water is inclined by an external force to a small angle fi, the centre of buoyancy shifts
from B to the new position – Bfi. The point where the new line of buoyancy force
intersects the initial line is denoted as the initial metacentre M. For practical
purposes, in normal merchant ships the point M does not change in position for
inclination up to about 7-15 degrees.

KM – The height of the initial metacentre M above the base plane. It depends on
a geometrical form of ship’s submerged part.
KM = KB + BM
where:
KB – The height of the centre of buoyancy above the base plane denoted as vertical
centre of buoyancy (VCB), BM – Metacentric radius = Moment of inertia of the
waterplane/Volume of displacement = I/V.

GM – The vertical distance between G and M is referred to as the metacentric height.

Metacentric height – The vertical distance between G and M is referred to as the
metacentric
height. The relative positions of vertical centre of gravity G and the initial
metacentre M
are extremely important with regard to their effect on the ship’s stability. The ship is
in
stable equilibrium if G is below M, in neutral equilibrium if VCG and M are
coincident
and in unstable equilibrium if VCG is above M. If the metacentric height of a ship is
small,
the righting arms that develop will be small. Such a ship is “tender” and will roll
slowly.
However, if the metacentric height (GM) of a ship is large, the righting arms that
develop,
at small angles of heel, will be large. Such a ship is “stiff” and will resist roll.

What needs to happen in order to a solid body float on a liquid? (2pts)

If the mass density of the body is less than that of the fluid

Weight of fluid displaced by the immersed body is equal to the weight of the
body

Which are the force that make a ship float? (2pts)

Vertical downward force of gravity equivalent to the WEIGHT of the ship

Vertical upward force called buoyancy force equivalent to the WEIGHT of

the water displaced by the immerse part of the ship

Explain the Archimedes Principle that explain why a ship floats. (3 pts)

Any body completely or partially submerged in a fluid at rest is acted upon by an

upward, or buoyant, force the magnitude of which is equal to the weight of the fluid
displaced by the body. The volume of displaced fluid is equivalent to the volume of
an object fully immersed in a fluid or to that fraction of the volume below the surface
for an object partially submerged in a liquid. The weight of the displaced portion of
the fluid is equivalent to the magnitude of the buoyant force. The buoyant force on a
body floating in a liquid or gas is also equivalent in magnitude to the weight of the
floating object and is opposite in direction; the object neither rises nor sinks.
G is equivalent to what measure of the body? (2 pts)

Weigh of the ship

Depending of what will be the Buoyancy force? (2 pts)

Of the water displaced by the immerse part of the ship

What are the 3 types of equilibrium that a floating body has and define what
happens in each one of them? (6 pts)

Stable: Metacentre above center of Gravity

Unstable: Metacentre below centre of gravity

Neutral: Metacentre same as centre of gravity

What makes a body to change his Centre of buoyancy? (2pts)

A change of cargo on board a vessel making the vessel to list

A external force making the ship to heel

All of this make the vessel to change the volume displaced

What are and explain the 6 types of motions that a vessel could have? (12
pts)

Pitch: The up/down rotation of a vessel about its transverse/Y (side-to-side

or port-starboard) axis. An offset or deviation from normal on this axis is
referred to as trim or out of trim.

1. Roll: The tilting rotation of a vessel about its longitudinal/X (front-back or

bow-stern) axis. An offset or deviation from normal on this axis is referred to
as list or heel. Heel refers to an offset that is intentional or expected, as
caused by wind pressure on sails, turning, or other crew actions. The rolling
motion towards a steady state (or list) angle due to the ship's own weight
distribution is referred in marine engineering as heel. List normally refers to
an unintentional or unexpected offset, as caused by flooding, battle damage,
shifting cargo, etc.
 3. Yaw: The turning rotation of a vessel about its vertical/Z axis. An offset or
deviation from normal on this axis is referred to as deviation or set. This is
referred to as the heading of the boat relative to a magnetic compass (or
true heading if referenced to the true north pole); it also affects the bearing.
4. Heave: The linear vertical (up/down) motion; excessive downward heave
can swamp a ship.

5. Sway: The linear transverse (side-to-side or port-starboard) motion. This

motion is generated directly either by the water and wind currents exerting
forces against the hull or by the ship's own propulsion; or indirectly by the
inertia of the ship while turning. This movement can be compared to the
vessel's drift from its course.

6. Surge: The linear longitudinal (front/back or bow/stern) motion imparted

by maritime conditions.

Stiff Vessel Tender Vessel

Not likely to heel easily More likely to heel

Righting moment greater Righting moment smaller

Center of gravity lower Center of gravity higher

KG distance small KG distance higher

Larger GM Smaller GM

Rolling period less Rolling period greather