Ballast Control System Fundamentals

Question 1

Describe the function of the ballast control system?

Answer 1

(1) to flood the ship to allow LCACS and any amphibious vehicle entering from the sea
(2) To compensate for liquid load i.e. flooding caused from damage or fuels on load.

Question 2

Describe the purpose of ballasting?

Answer 2

Flooding the ship for amphibious operations and compensating for ships liquid and vehicle load

Question 3

Where is Ballast control located?

Answer 3

Port side aft above gauge cal

Question 4

What are the 2 ways to fill a ballast tank?

Answer 4

(1) Open the Sea Valve and allow tank to fill naturally

(2) Fill the tank with the fire main

Question 5

What is 1 way to empty a ballast tank?

Answer 5

Open the Sea Valve and blow valve. A Blow Valve forces air into the tank, pushing water out of the Sea Valve

Question 6

What does HPU stand for?

Answer 6

Hydraulic Power Unit

Question 7

What is HPU used for?

Answer 7

HPU’s are used to open Sea Valves. They are closed and held closed by an installed spring.

Question 8

How many HPU’s are onboard?

Answer 8

2

Question 9

Where are the HPU’s located?

Answer 9

1 port side by ship store and 1 stbd aft by armory

Question 10

How many psi’s for the HPU’s?

Answer 10

500-550 psi and 11 valve manifolds

Question 11

What doe DBAC stand for?

Answer 11

de-ballast air compressor

Question 12

How many DBAC’s are onboard?

Answer 12

3

Question 13

Where are the DBAC’s located?

Answer 13

1 port side by ships store and 2 stbd aft by armory

Question 14

What is DBAC used for?

Answer 14

Used to drain or blow out ballasting tanks; Low Pressure/High Volume (2160cft/min @ 16-20 psi)

Question 15

How many Valves are there on the Ballast tanks?

Answer 15

5

Question 16

What are the 5 Valves on ballast tanks?

Answer 16

(1) Sea Valve
(2) Blow Valve
(3) Vent Valve
(4) Stripping Valve
(5) Fire Main Fill

Question 17

What is a Sea Valve used for?

Answer 17

Sea Valves are used when a tank needs to be flooded

Question 18

What is a Vent Valve used for?

Answer 18

Vent Valves are used to vent the air from the tanks that are being filled

Question 19

What is a Blow Valve used for?

Answer 19

Blow Valves are opened when air is needed to blow air into the tank that needs to be drained.

Question 20

How many ballast tanks are there onboard?

Answer 20

49 ballast tanks

Question 21

What are the 3 different types of ballast tanks?

Answer 21

(1) Pre-stage tank
(2) Compensating tank
(3) Rapid fill tank

Question 22

Of the 49 ballast tanks, how many pre-stage tanks are there?

Answer 22

26

Question 23

What are the pre-stage tanks used for?

Answer 23

Used to prep ship for amphibious operations by dipping the ship lower

Question 24

Where are the pre-stage tanks located?

Answer 24

10 center line; 6 port and 6 aft wing walls; 4 fwd wing walls

Question 25

Of the 49 ballast tanks, how many are Compensating tanks?

Answer 25

16

Question 26

What are compensating tanks used for?

Answer 26

Used to compensate for the ship’s liquid and vehicle load

Question 27

Where are the compensating tanks located?

Answer 27

Located next to the fuel tanks

Question 28

Of the 49 ballast tanks, how many are rapid fill tanks?

Answer 28

7

Question 29

What are rapid fill tanks used for?

Answer 29

fill once stern gate is down to flood the well deck for amphibious vehicles

Question 30

Where are the rapid fill tanks located?

Answer 30

Located center line

Question 31

Which Condition is set for ballasting and amphibious operations?

Answer 31

Condition 2A