What are the capacities of the fuel service tanks for Engine Room No. 2?

• A. 18,000 gallons port and 20,000 gallons starboard
• B. 20,000 gallons port and 18,000 gallons starboard
• C. 15,000 gallons port and 15,000 gallons starboard
• D. 22,000 gallons port and 22,000 gallons starboard

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how fuel system design uses asymmetric tank sizes to keep the ship balanced. Engine Room No. 2 has heavier equipment or piping arranged more on one side, so the fuel service tanks are sized to compensate and keep the vessel’s trim and center of gravity within safe limits. The correct setup has the port side holding 18,000 gallons and the starboard side holding 20,000 gallons, providing extra weight on the starboard side to offset the heavier components elsewhere. This arrangement also ensures enough service fuel is available without overloading one side. If the tanks were equal or the larger capacity were on the opposite side, it wouldn’t match the actual equipment layout and could affect balance and fuel availability.