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How to Calculate Gross Tonnage of a Ship

The term gross tonnage refers to the internal volume of a water-going vessel, and is normally used as a means for categorizing commercial vessels, especially those used for shipping. This volume measured includes all areas of the ship, from keel to funnel and from bow to stern. In modern usage, the measurement deducts the crew spaces and other parts of the ship that cannot hold cargo. Since 1969, gross tonnage has been the principal means by which a  commercial ship is defined. The gross tonnage measurement has a number of legal and administrative uses. It is used to determine regulations, safety rules, registration fees, and port charges for the vessel.   Calculating Gross Tonnage Calculating the gross tonnage of a ship is a somewhat complicated procedure, due to the fact that most ships have an asymmetrical shape that makes calculating volume difficult. There are many ways to make this calculation, depending on the level of precision required and the agency requiring the measurement. Different formulas are used depending on the shape of the vessel, and even the types of waters on which the ship sails. A simplified set of gross tonnage formulas is set forth by the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center, which are based on three measurements: Length (L), breadth (D), and depth (D). Under this system, the means of estimating gross tonnage is as follows:   For a boat with a simple sailing hull, gross tonnage (GT) (.5 * L * B * D) / 100For a sailing boat with keel, GT   (.375 * L * B * D) / 100For freighters with angled or cylindrical hulls, GT   (.67 * L * B * D) / 100For ships with square barge-shaped hulls, GT   (.84 * L * B * D) / 100 The  International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships  sets forth another, more precise formula for calculating gross tonnage of a vessel, which says GT   K  *  V. Here, K .2 .02 * log10(V), and V interior volume of a vessel in cubic meters (m3). History of Gross Tonnage as a Measurement Standard Since most commercial ships were originally involved with the transport of goods, otherwise known as cartage,  ships at first were rated and valued on the maximum amount of cargo that could be stuffed into every nook inside a ship. On long sailing voyages, after selling their loads of cookware, tools, machinery and other products, private traders often bought bundles of lumber, spices, cloth, and decorative goods to sell upon return to home port. Every space was stuffed full to maximize profit on both legs of the voyage, and thus each boats value depended on just how much open space was available in the vessel. One of the few exempt spaces in these early calculations of a ships volume was the bilge area, where ballast was held. In early shops, no cargo could be stored here without damage since in these wooden ships the bilges were wet. Ballast stones were used on sailing ships that were leaving with a light load and returning with a heavy cargo. This might be the case when transporting a finished metal such as copper to a port where raw copper ore was loaded for the trip back to England for refining. As the lighter load was unloaded and the heavier load brought aboard, the bilge stones were removed to compensate for the extra weight. Today, piles of these foreign stones, roughly the size of bowling balls, can be found underwater near historic ports all over the world. Eventually, with the availability of mechanical pumps,  water as ballast  became the norm,  since it was much more efficient to simply pump water in and out of the bilge to adjust the ships weight rather than use stones or other forms of weight.  Ã‚   The term  tonnage originally  came into usage as a means for referring to the physical space occupied by 100 cubic feet of ballast  water, an amount of water that was the equivalent of about 2.8 tons. This can be confusing since a ton is usually thought of as a measurement of weight, not volume. In the context of maritime shipping, however, the term tonnage refers to the volume of space available to hold cargo.

Influence of Visual Media Paper Free Essays

?The Various forms of visual entertainment media shape American culture and its values is by Visual entertainment media has shaped American culture and values in many ways. There are so many forms of entertainment nowadays that it has cause many of us including our children to forget what is more important. For example we now use the Internet to rely on so many things, like information. We will write a custom essay sample on Influence of Visual Media Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now When at one point in time we would use books or newspapers. Video games, Internet, cell phones and things like this have taken away from our values of taking time out to enjoy a book. The children of today won’t even take time out to play outside they are more concerned with playing their video games. There was a time where children played outside every day and that was a form of exercise but now all they want to do is watch television, play games and be on the Internet and their cell phones. Visual media influences the diffusion or spread of various cultural traits, including food habits, dressing, and entertainment. Different forms of visual media, such as television and films, provide materials from which we establish a sense of selfhood, sexuality, class, and even race. Further to this, visual media shapes the way we view the world by influencing what we consider to be right or wrong, positive or negative, and moral or immoral. The social influences of the visual entertainment media have been more negative than positive. For example YouTube has millions of video up where most of them depict something of negativity or something of no substance. There are so many videos of people fighting than there are of someone speaking out to promote non-violence. There are also sexually explicit videos where you see a person has millions of hits. Also movies have become so much more violent these days that young people are easily influenced by them, kids look up to famous actors/actresses. I think it is up to us as parents to make sure we monitor what our children do. Over the years, various forms of visual entertainment media have had some influence on the American culture. Visual entertainment media, for instance, exposes us to different kinds of music and dancing styles. When we are repeatedly exposed to these forms of entertainment, we gradually accept it as a way of life and eventually start practicing the same. Celebrity figures in visual entertainment media also influences our lifestyles. Visual media describes such persons as exceptionally talented and successful in various ways. As a result, we tend to view them as perfect role models and strive to adopt their lifestyles. For instance, the increased use of aerated drinks among Americans can be attributed to the commercial ads aired on TV with popular celebrities as the subject. As well, the rapid spread of various types of youth subculture, such as Goth subculture, can be attributed to visual media. Visual media also exposes us to nudism, cruelty, criminality, violence, unfairness, and other antisocial elements. These elements of visual media entertainment constantly have shaped various aspects of the American culture. The influence of visual media in today’s world has shaped American culture in many ways. People can be influenced with visual media because they can find it relatable. They relate to the person on a television show going through a rough time or a good time in their lives. People influenced by people on television that they look up to. For example if you are watching basketball and you see Michal Jordan wearing the newest shoes that have come out that will make you want to wear them thinking you can be like him. While with television shows, you may not look up to or influenced by the actor you are influenced by the character he plays on television. The way America visual media has shaped is because it is relatable and we are influenced by what we see. This may also change the way we think about cretin things. Such as if you decide that your son or daughter will not date until they are 18 but, you then see on television a 15 year old going on a date you then may change your mind about your son or daughter going on a date. If you hear swear words on television, you may find them inappropriate at first but you then start to use them yourself. It is as if people have grown numb to them existing. However there are good things about visual media other than changing your mind about things. It could inspire to be a better person or get a better job. This may push you harder to reach your goals that you have set for yourself. Some say that watching television is a way to learn. For example show like Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, and Bill Nye the Science Guy are said to teach you new things. In conclusion visual media influence social behavior and attitudes when we began to do what we see online, television, or movies. We have to get back to the basics like reading more books, watching the news, and not focus so much on the Internet, video games, movies, and cell phones. How to cite Influence of Visual Media Paper, Papers