Since a ship is supported by fluid pressure she will incline in any direction
according to the position of the weights placed on her.
The trim, therefore, is the angle that a ship is making, fore and aft, with the water.
The levels are read by numbers painted on the ship's stem and stem. These are
called draught marks. Another word is heel. This means a list or inclination from
one side to another, caused by loading. The Chief Officer must watch the load
lines. They are welded or punched on and then painted.
Loading, discharging, stowage, lashing, securing, etc. are the operations and
activities specific for each type of ship and cargo and these will be discussed in
the following text (adapted from www.solentwaters.co.uk ).