Which type of draft mark shows the minimum allowable freeboard and maximum depth?

• A. Calculative
• B. Limiting
• C. Navigational
• D. Plimsoll

Answer: (D)

Draft marks tell you how deeply a vessel may sit in the water under different conditions. The Plimsoll line is the symbol that indicates the maximum depth of immersion allowed for a loaded ship, which directly ties to maintaining the minimum required freeboard. Load beyond this mark would reduce freeboard below safe levels, so the Plimsoll line sets both the limit on draught and the safeguard of minimum freeboard across varying water types. The other terms aren’t standard draft marks for this purpose.