What can increase the ship's draft?

Ballasting a ship involves taking on water or other materials to increase its weight, which in turn increases the ship's draft, or the distance from the waterline to the bottom of the hull. This process is crucial, especially during operations like loading cargo or navigating through certain conditions, as it enhances stability and helps the vessel maintain an optimal position in the water.

When a ship is ballasted, the added weight contributes to a deeper immersion in the water, allowing better handling and control. The design of vessels often necessitates certain drafts to ensure they operate efficiently and safely, particularly in terms of stability and buoyancy.

In contrast, options that involve displacing cargo, reducing weight, or emptying tanks result in a decrease in the ship's draft. Displacing cargo means that removing items from the ship lightens it, causing it to sit higher in the water. Reducing weight and emptying tanks further lower the overall weight of the ship, which similarly results in a decreased draft.