Chapter 2

Hydrostatic Data – Draught,

Displacement and Tonnes per
Centimetre Immersion (TPC)
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Hydrostatic Particulars
2.2.1 Representation of hydrostatic data
2.2.2 Estimating ship displacement given the Arithmetic Mean Draught (AMD)
2.2.3 Interpolation
2.2.4 Estimating Arithmetic mean Draught (AMD) given the ship’s
displacement
2.2.5 Displacement values for differing water densities
2.3 Tonnes per centimetre immersion (TPC)
2.3.1 TPC defined
2.3.2 TPC formula
2.3.3 Factors affecting TPC
2.3.4 Simple load/discharge problems

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2.1 Introduction
All ships are provided with a Stability Data Book for the purpose of conducting
stability and trim calculations. The hydrostatic particulars (data sheets) provide a
tabulated representation of the ship’s hull form and how it changes with draught
and other data that will allow the calculation of the stability and trim characteristics
of the ship for any condition of loading.

The Ship Stability Data Sheets adopted for use by the Maritime and Coastguard
Agency (MCA) in examinations are for an SD14 ship which was a standard design cargo
ship built in large numbers in the 1970’s to replace the many hundreds of wartime
cargo carriers that were still trading in the mid 1960’s; ‘SD’ of course referring to
the term ‘Standard Design’. The ship design may be old but the principles of ship
stability remain unchanged.

Fig. 2.1 – Type SD14 general cargo ship.

This introductory chapter introduces the use of the tabulated values of draught,
displacement and tonnes per centimetre immersion (TPC). This information is
required to conduct load line calculations.

2.2 Hydrostatic Particulars

It is important to note that any set of hydrostatic data will be unique to the ship for
which they were produced and cannot be used for any other ship!

2.2.1 Representation of hydrostatic data

The hydrostatic particulars of a ship may be represented in tabular format or in
graphical format although it is usual for the data to be presented in a table for
modern ships. Calculations in this book will use the Ship Stability Data Sheets that
have been adopted for the conduct of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
UK professional examinations. Table 2.1 is an extract of the tabulated hydrostatic
particulars.

The range of values of this extract will be used for the purpose of examples in this
chapter for ease of reference.
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 In this chapter we are only concerned with the first three columns headed DRAUGHT,
DISPLACEMENT and TPC, the remaining data will be discussed in the appropriate
chapters later.

DRAUGHT DISPLACEMENT TPC MCTC KMT KB LCB LCF

t t tm foap foap
m SW FW SW FW SW FW m m m m
RD 1.025 RD 1.000 RD 1.025 RD 1.000 RD 1.025 RD 1.000
8.00 16922 16509 23.78 23.20 199.6 194.7 8.35 4.17 69.58 66.33
7.90 16685 16278 23.71 23.13 198.2 193.4 8.35 4.12 69.63 66.42
7.80 16448 16047 23.65 23.07 196.8 192.0 8.34 4.07 69.67 66.51
7.70 16212 15817 23.59 23.01 195.4 190.6 8.34 4.02 69.72 66.61
7.60 15976 15586 23.52 22.95 193.9 189.2 8.33 3.96 69.76 66.71
7.50 15742 15358 23.45 22.88 192.4 187.7 8.33 3.91 69.81 66.82
7.40 15507 15129 23.39 22.82 190.9 186.2 8.33 3.85 69.85 66.92
7.30 15274 14901 23.33 22.76 189.4 184.8 8.33 3.80 69.90 67.03
7.20 15040 14673 23.26 22.69 187.8 183.2 8.33 3.75 69.94 67.13
7.10 14808 14447 23.19 23.32 186.2 181.7 8.34 3.70 69.99 67.24
7.00 14576 14220 23.13 22.57 184.6 180.1 8.34 3.64 70.03 67.35
6.90 14345 13996 23.06 22.50 183.0 178.5 8.35 3.58 70.08 67.46
6.80 14115 13771 22.99 22.43 181.4 177.0 8.36 3.53 70.12 67.57
6.70 13886 13548 22.92 22.36 179.9 175.5 8.37 3.48 70.16 67.68
6.60 13657 13324 22.85 22.29 178.3 174.0 8.38 3.43 70.20 67.79
6.50 13429 13102 22.78 22.23 176.8 172.5 8.39 3.38 70.24 67.90
6.40 13201 12879 22.72 22.17 175.3 171.0 8.41 3.33 70.28 68.00
6.30 12975 12658 22.66 22.11 173.9 169.6 8.43 3.28 70.32 68.10
6.20 12748 12437 22.60 22.05 172.5 168.3 8.46 3.22 70.35 68.20
6.10 12523 12217 22.54 21.99 171.1 167.0 8.49 3.17 70.38 68.30
6.00 12297 11997 22.48 21.93 169.8 165.7 8.52 3.11 70.42 68.39
5.90 12073 11778 22.43 21.87 168.5 164.4 8.55 3.06 70.46 68.43
5.80 11848 11559 22.37 21.82 167.3 163.2 8.59 3.01 70.50 68.57
5.70 11625 11342 22.32 21.77 166.1 162.1 8.63 2.95 70.53 68.65
5.60 11402 11124 22.26 21.72 165.0 161.0 8.67 2.90 70.57 68.73
5.50 11180 10908 22.21 21.66 163.9 160.0 8.71 2.85 70.60 68.80
5.40 10958 10691 22.15 21.61 162.9 158.9 8.76 2.80 70.64 68.88
5.30 10737 10476 22.10 21.56 161.8 157.9 8.81 2.74 70.68 68.95
5.20 10516 10260 22.05 21.51 160.8 156.9 8.86 2.69 70.72 69.02
5.10 10296 10045 22.00 21.46 159.8 155.9 8.92 2.63 70.75 69.09
5.00 10076 9830 21.95 21.41 158.8 154.9 8.98 2.58 70.79 69.16
THESE HYDROSTATIC PARTICULARS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED WITH THE
VESSEL FLOATING ON EVEN KEEL

Table 2.1 – Hydrostatic Particulars extract.

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2.2.2 Estimating ship displacement given the Arithmetic Mean
Draught (AMD)
The Arithmetic Mean Draught (AMD) is the mean draught of the ship given by:

AMD = Forward draught + Aft draught or AMD = dF + dA

2 2

where the draughts are assumed to have been read at the forward and aft
perpendiculars and the arithmetic mean draught is what would have been read at
amidships (being the mid-point between the perpendiculars in the ship’s length).
This assumes that the ship is neither hogged nor sagged.

In the data provided, for any given value of draught there are two values of
displacement given, one for salt water (SW) RD 1.025 and one for fresh water (FW)
RD 1.000.

The salt water values of displacement are obviously greater than the fresh water
values!

On arrival in port and immediately prior to departure it is usual for the draughts
forward and aft to be read and for the density of the dock water to be determined
if the ship is close to being fully loaded. With this information the ship’s
displacement can be determined using the ship’s hydrostatic data. The freeboard
will also be noted to confirm seaworthiness of the ship with respect to reserve
buoyancy.

Example 1 (a)
A ship has draughts F 6.24 m and A 7.16 m and is floating in salt water (RD 1.025).
Using the hydrostatic particulars provided estimate the ship’s displacement.

Solution
AMD = 6.24 + 7.16 = 6.700 m
2

Entering the data with draught 6.700 m gives a displacement of 13886 tonnes

Example 1 (b)
What would the displacement have been if the ship had been floating in fresh water
(RD 1.000)?

Solution
AMD = 6.700 m

Entering the data with draught 6.700 m gives a displacement from the FW column
of 13548 tonnes

For the same draught the displacement will be less in fresh water!

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2.2.3 Interpolation
When the actual draught value lies between two tabulated values it will be necessary
to interpolate to find the corresponding displacement value. Example 2 illustrates
the working for the interpolation process.

Example 2 (a)
A ship has draughts F 6.38 m and A 7.96 m and is floating in salt water (RD 1.025).
Using the hydrostatic particulars provided estimate the ship’s displacement.

Solution
AMD = 6.38 + 7.96 = 7.170 m
2
Enter the data and obtain the draught values either side of the AMD value and the
corresponding displacement values.

Draught 7.100 m Displacement 14808 t

AMD 7.170 m ?
Draught 7.200 m Displacement 15040 t

Interpolating to find displacement for AMD 7.170 m:

Displacement = 14808 + (15040 – 14808) × (7.170 – 7.100)

(7.200 – 7.100)

 Displacement = 14808 + (232 × 0.070) = 14970.4 ≈ 14970 tonnes

0.100

The answer in tonnes should be given to the same number of decimal places as is
tabulated in the data. It is essential that you be able to interpolate with ease so
practice may be needed!

Example 2 (b)
Had the ship been floating in fresh water instead of salt water, what would the
displacement have been assuming that the ship was floating at the same draughts?

Solution
AMD = 6.38 + 7.96 = 7.170 m
2
Enter the data and obtain the draught values either side of the AMD value and the
corresponding displacement values.

Draught 7.100 m Displacement 14447 t

AMD 7.170 m ?
Draught 7.200 m Displacement 14673 t

Interpolating to find displacement for AMD 7.170 m:

Displacement = 14447 + (14673 – 14447) × (7.170 – 7.100)

(7.200 – 7.100)
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 Displacement = 14447 + (226 × 0.070) = 14605.2 ≈ 14605 tonnes
0.100

2.2.4 Estimating Arithmetic Mean Draught (AMD) given the ship’s

displacement
Some calculations may require you to obtain the AMD given the ship’s displacement.

Example 3 (a)
A ship has a displacement of 12400 tonnes. Estimate the AMD if the ship is floating
in salt water (RD 1.025).

Solution
Enter the data and obtain the displacement values either side of the 12400 t value
given and also the corresponding draught values.

Displacement 12297 t Draught 6.000 m

Displacement 12400 t ?
Displacement 12523 t Draught 6.100 m

AMD = 6.000 + (6.100 – 6.000) × (12400 – 12297)

(12523 – 12297)

 AMD = 6.000 + (0.100 × 103) = 6.046 m

226

As freeboard is measured in millimetres (mm) it is good practice to calculate

draughts to the nearest mm.

Example 3 (b)
Estimate the AMD of the ship if it had been floating in fresh water (RD 1.000).

Solution
Enter the data and obtain the displacement values either side of the 12400 t value
given and also the corresponding draught values.

Displacement 12217 t Draught 6.100 m

Displacement 12400 t ?
Displacement 12437 t Draught 6.200 m

AMD = 6.100 + (6.200 – 6.100) × (12400 – 12217)

(12437 – 12217)

 AMD = 6.100 + (0.100 × 183) = 6.183 m

220

2.2.5 Displacement values for differing water densities

In many stability data books only the salt water values of displacement are
tabulated. The fresh water value of displacement can be easily calculated.

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Example 4 (a)
A ship has a mean draught of 6.20 m and is floating in fresh water (RD 1.000).
Calculate the displacement assuming that the fresh water values of displacement
are NOT given in the hydrostatic data.

Solution
Entering the data with a draught of 6.20 m gives a value of displacement of 12748 t
(RD 1.025).

The actual displacement of the ship (in fresh water) = 12748 × 1.000 = 12437.073 t
1.025
≈ 12437 tonnes

Confirm that the answer is correct by inspection of the data.

Example 4 (b)
A ship has a mean draught of 6.20 m and is floating in dock water (RD 1.012).
Calculate the displacement.

Solution
The actual displacement of the ship (in dock water) = 12748 × 1.012 = 12586.318 t
1.025
≈ 12586 tonnes

From the above it is evident that having obtained the salt water (RD 1.025)
displacement value, the value of displacement for any other density is easily
calculated by multiplying it by the appropriate fraction made up by the two densities
in question. The same is true for values of TPC and MCTC which are also influenced
by density – see later for the description of the use of these data values.

2.3 Tonnes per centimetre immersion (TPC)

When loading and discharging weights we need a means to calculate how much the
draught will change. Similarly, we may need to know how much to load or discharge
to complete operations at a required draught. The TPC values allow this.

2.3.1 TPC defined

The TPC for any given draught is the weight that must be loaded or discharged to
change the ship’s mean draught by exactly one centimetre.

Consider a ship floating in salt water (RD 1.025) with a waterplane area (WPA) at
the waterline as shown (figure 2.2).

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 Fig. 2.2 – Waterplane area.

A weight of 30 tonnes is loaded on deck so that the mean draught increases by 1 cm

(figure 2.3).

Fig. 2.3 – Sinkage 1cm due to 30 tonnes being loaded.

Since the ship's displacement is equal to the mass of water displaced (Law of
Flotation) it follows that the mass of the additional ‘slice’ of displaced water is
equal to the added weight of 30 tonnes. In this instance, 30 tonnes represents the
value of the Tonnes per Centimetre Immersion (TPC) for the ship at the initial
draught before the weight was loaded.

2.3.2 TPC formula

Consider the previous situation.

Since: Mass = Volume  Density

then:

Mass of additional slice of water = Volume of the additional slice of water  Density.

If the WPA is assumed to not significantly change between the two waterlines, then:

Volume of the slice = WPA (m2)  1 cm (figure 2.4);

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 Fig. 2.4 – The TPC represents a 1 cm slice of additional displacement for the ship.

We cannot multiply m2 by cm, therefore:

Volume of slice = WPA (m2)  1 (m);

100

 Added displacement (t) = WPA (m2)  1 (m)  density (t/m3);

100

Therefore, the formula for TPC is: TPC = WPA × 

100

Example 5
Calculate the TPC for a ship with a waterplane area of 1500 m 2 when it is floating
in:

(a) fresh water;

(b) dock water of RD 1.005;

(c) salt water.

Solution
TPC = WPA × 
100

(a) TPC = 1500 × 1.000 = 15.000

100

(b) TPC = 1500 × 1.005 = 15.075

100

(c) TPC = 1500 × 1.025 = 15.375

100

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2.3.3 Factors affecting TPC
Consideration of the TPC formula: TPC = WPA × 
100
shows that:

 TPC increases with WPA and for a normal ship hull shape the WPA will
increase with draught.

 TPC increases with density.

Consider the hydrostatic particulars provided (Table 2.1).

If the ship were floating at a draught of 7.00 m in salt water (RD 1.025) the
displacement of the ship would be 14576 tonnes. To sink the ship by exactly 1 cm,
23.13 tonnes would have to be loaded.

If the ship were to float at the same draught of 7.00 m in fresh water (RD 1.000);
the displacement and TPC values are less than those tabulated for salt water.

Example 6
Using the hydrostatic particulars determine the displacement and TPC values for the
ship when floating at a draught of 6.30 m in:

(a) salt water (RD 1.025);

(b) fresh water (RD 1.000);

(c) dock water (RD 1.012).

Solution
(a) The hydrostatic data gives the following salt water values for a draught of
6.30 m:

Displacement: 12975 t
TPC: 22.66

(b) Displacement in fresh water (RD 1.000)

= 12975  1.000 = 12658.5 t (12658 t from tabulated FW data)

1.025

TPC in fresh water (RD 1.000)

= 22.66  1.000 = 22.11 (as tabulated in data)

1.025

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(c) Displacement in dock water (RD 1.012)

= 12975  1.012 = 12810.4 t

1.025

TPC in dock water (RD 1.012)

= 22.66  1.012 = 22.37

1.025

It is usual to work to the same number of decimal places as the values given in the
tables for displacement and TPC.

2.3.4 Simple load/discharge problems

If given a TPC value for a particular draught, then the change in draught that will
occur as a result of loading or discharging weights, termed either sinkage or rise as
appropriate, may be calculated using:

Sinkage/Rise (cm) = w
TPC

where w represents the total weight that is loaded or discharged. Having calculated
the sinkage/rise of the ship, this is then applied to the initial draught.

Use of the above formula may also be used to determine the weight to load or
discharge to achieve a required draught where:

w = Sinkage/Rise × TPC

Example 7
A ship has an initial mean draught of 5.70 m in salt water and is required to complete
loading with a draught of 6.80 m. Using the hydrostatic particulars calculate the
maximum amount of cargo that can be loaded.

Solution
Two methods may be used as follows:

Method 1
(1) Read off the DISPLACEMENTSW values for both the initial and required final
draught.
(2) Subtract the smaller from the larger.
(3) Result equals the amount to load.

Method 2
(1) Read off the TPCSW values for both the initial and required final draughts.
(2) Calculate the mean TPCSW value.
(3) Calculate the required change in draught; in this case sinkage.
(4) Use the formula:

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PART A - OOW CHAPTER 2 (MAR Rev. 08-05-2018)
 Sinkage/Rise (cm) = w
TPC
to find w, the amount to load.

Method 1
Initial draught 5.70 m Displacement (SW) 11625 t
Required draught 6.80 m Displacement (SW) 14115 t
Cargo to load 2490 t

Method 2
Initial draught 5.70 m TPCSW 22.32
Required draught 6.80 m TPCSW 22.99

Mean TPCSW = 22.32 + 22.99 = 22.655

2
Sinkage (cm) = 6.80 m – 5.70 m = 1.10 m (110 cm)

Sinkage (cm) = w
TPCSW

Cargo to load (w) = Sinkage × Mean TPCSW

Cargo to load (w) = 110 × 22.655 = 2492.1 t

The answers differ slightly for two reasons:

(1) In using the mean value of TPC it is assumed that the TPC value changes
linearly between the draughts concerned. This is not so, as the underwater
form of a ship does not (usually) change uniformly with draught.

(2) Displacement values taken from the hydrostatic data in using method 1 will
be rounded to the nearest whole tonne (as tabulated).

If the change in draught is only small it is usual to use the TPC value for the initial
waterline instead of the mean TPC value as shown in the example. Obviously the
greater the amount of cargo loaded or discharged; the greater will be the error!

Example 8
A ship has an initial mean draught of 6.90 m in salt water and loads 2340 t of cargo.
Using the hydrostatic particulars calculate the final mean draught.

Solution

Method 1
Initial draught 6.90 m Displacement (SW) 14345 t
Cargo loaded 2340 t
Final Displacement 16685 t

Entering data with final displacement gives a final mean draught of 7.900 m.
Method 2
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PART A - OOW CHAPTER 2 (MAR Rev. 08-05-2018)
Initial draught 6.90 m Displacement (SW) 14345 t and TPCSW 23.06

Initial Displacement (SW) 14345 t

Cargo loaded 2340 t
Final Displacement 16685 t TPCSW 23.71

Mean TPCSW = 23.06 + 23.71 = 23.385

2

Sinkage (cm) = w
TPCSW MEAN

Sinkage (cm) = 2340 = 100.1 cm = 1.001 m

23.385

Initial draught 6.900 m

Sinkage 1.001 m
Final Draught 7.901 m

It should be evident from the above example that direct use of the Displacement
values given in the hydrostatic data results in a more accurate answer (Method 1).
Using the formula method leads to unnecessary working and may result in a less
accurate answer!

Example 9
A ship arrives in port with a mean draught of 6.60 m in dock water RD 1.016. How
much cargo may be loaded to ensure that the maximum draught on completion is
7.80 m in the dock water?

Use the hydrostatic particulars provided.

Solution
Initial draught 6.60 Displacement (SW) 13657 t

Actual displacement (DW) = 13657  1.016 = 13537 t

1.025

Required final draught 7.80 m gives displacement (SW) 16448 t

Actual required displacement (DW) = 16448  1.016 = 16304 t

1.025

Initial displacement (DW) 13657 t

Final displacement (DW) 16304 t
Cargo to load 2647 t

Note
 Displacement must be corrected for the density of water in which the ship is
floating.

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PART A - OOW CHAPTER 2 (MAR Rev. 08-05-2018)
  If the TPC method is used then the TPC values must also be corrected for the
density of water in which the ship is floating.

It is usual to calculate the amount to load on the basis of the required salt water
draught since seasonal load lines assigned to the ship apply to the ship at sea in salt
water (RD 1.025).

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