1.

Trim
Capt. S. Viswanathan
Trim
• It plays an important role in longitudinal stability.
• Measured as the difference between forward draft and aft draft. The
drafts are measured at respective perpendiculars.
• If the difference is zero, the condition is called as “Even keel”
• When aft draft is more than forward draft, the condition is called as
“Trim by Stern”
• When the forward draft is more than aft draft, The condition is called
as “Trim by head” or “Trim by Bow”
Trim
Source: Ship Stability (Masters
and Mates) - Bryan Barrass and
D.R Derrett
 Trimming moment takes place
Changes in COG and COB about the centre of floatation
(COF).

The Longitudinal vertical

metecentre (ML) is the point of
intersection of verticals of
longitudinal position of Centre
of buoyancy (before and after).

Longitudinal meta centric

height (GML) is the vertical
distance between COG and
longitudinal metacenter (ML).
Trimming moment
MTCT – Moment to change Trim by 1 cm
Change of drafts due to change in Trim
Summary
• Shift of centre of gravity is directly proportional to trimming moment
and inverse of displacement.
• MCTC is directly proportional to displacement and GML, inversely
proportional to length of the vessel.
Worked example – 22.5m, 10.7, 11.8, 6.393,
5.618
Calculations – shift of weights
• 1. Calculate trimming moment – w x d
• 2. calculate change of trim – trimming moment /MCTC (by head /
stern)
• 3. calculate change of draft aft – (d x change of trim) / LBP
• 4. Calculate change of draft forward - (d x change of trim) / LBP
• 5. Find out new draft.
Effect of loading and discharging in draft
• When a load is loaded or discharged from COF, no trimming moment is
created and no change trim will be possible.
• However, only sinkage is possible.

• When the load is loaded in a place other than COF, then it causes trim.
When loaded forward, forward trim is caused and vice versa.
• When the load is discharged from a place other than COF, then it causes
trim. When discharged from forward, stern trim is caused.
• In both the above cases, sinkage / rise is applicable.
When loading – 45, 58.12, 28.09, 30.03, 5.169, 5.250
Calculations – when loading and unloading
• 1. calculate body sinkage = w/TPC
• 2. change of trim – trimming moment / MCTC
• 3. change of ford draft – d x change of trim / LBP
• 4. change of forward draft – d x change of trim / LBP
• 5. apply body sinkage and then change of trim ford and aft
Loading a weight to keep the aft draft
constant

Sinkage = Change of trim aft

Calculation of Drafts from table
• MV Vijay or Hindship
Summary
• Make a sketch from the given information.
• Estimate the mean bodily sinkage.
• Calculate the change of trim using levers measured from LCF.
• Evaluate the trim ratio forward and aft at FP and AP, from the LCF
position.
• Collect the above calculated values to estimate the final end drafts.
• In the solutions shown in the text, these final end drafts have been
calculated to three decimal figures.
Assignments
• Roll number ending with 1 – 1,11,21
• Roll number ending with 2 – 2,12,22
• Roll number ending with 3 – 3,13,23
• Roll number ending with 4 – 4,14,24
• Roll number ending with 5 – 5,15,25
• Roll number ending with 6 – 6,16,26
• Roll number ending with 7 – 7,17,21
• Roll number ending with 8 – 8,18,22
• Roll number ending with 9 – 9,19,23
• Roll number ending with 0 – 10,20,24
• Thank you