BALLASTING / DEBALLASTING OF

TANKS

-Ballast Control on board

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Key Highlights

Ballasting or de-ballasting is a process by

which sea water is taken in and out of the
ship when the ship is at the port or at the
sea. The sea water carried by the ship is
known as ballast water.
Ballast or ballast water is sea water
carried by a vessel in its ballast tanks to
ensure its trim, stability and structural
integrity. Ballast tanks are constructed in
ships with piping system and high capacity
ballast pumps to carry out the operation.

Ballasting and De ballasting

Simplified

When no cargo is carried by the ship, the

later becomes light in weight, which can
affect its stability. For this reason, ballast
water is taken in dedicated tanks in the
ship to stabilize it. Tanks are filled with
ballast water with the help of high
capacity ballast pumps and this process is
known as Ballasting.
However, when the ship is filled with
cargo, the stability of the ship is
maintained by the weight of the cargo
itself and thus there is no requirement of
ballast water. The process of taking out
ballast water from the ballast tanks to
make them empty is known as deballasting.

-Fire and General Service Pump on Board

-Ballast Pump on Board

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Steps involved in Ballasting and Deballasting

1. Ask Chief Officer on how many tonnes of water has to be pumped in/ pumped out and the
tank number.
2. Take initial sounding of that tank.
3. Convert the mass of water in volume by using the formula:

Density = Mass / Volume

4. Compare the volume required in the tank in the sounding table and determine the sounding
of that particular tank against that volume.
5. Apply trim correction (The graph for trim correction can be found in sounding table).
6. Identify the appropriate pump to be used. (Note : In case of ballasting/deballasting of small
volume, GS Pump should be considered over Ballast Pump).
7. Inform Engine room about ballasting / deballasting and ask them to prepare the pump.
8. Take confirmation from Engine Room that the designated pump is ready to be used.
9. Operate all Non Hydraulic Valves required at that particular instance. (Note : Valves depends
upon the pump to be used and the ballast tank to be filled or emptied.)
10. Start the Hydraulic Pump.
11. Check alarm Hydraulic oil pressure. (In most cases alarm can be seen on ballast control)
12. Check alarm for low level of Hydraulic Oil. (In most cases alarm can be seen on ballast
control)
13. Operate all hydraulic valves required at that particular instance. (Note : Valves depends
upon the pump to be used and the ballast tank to be filled or emptied.)
14. Quickly go through the line which has been set up, to check that right valves have been
opened or closed for that particular instance.
15. Start the pump.
16. Manually monitor the sounding of the tank at regular intervals.
17. As soon as desired sounding is reached stop the pump.
18. Close the isolation valve for that particular tank.
19. Take the final sounding of that particular tank.
20. Close all the hydraulic valves.
21. Stop the Hydraulic Pump
22. Close all Non Hydraulic Valves.
23. Inform Chief Officer about the completion of the process.
24. Inform Engine Room About the completion of the process
25. Re-check that all valves that have been used are closed properly.
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