The Load Line certificate confirms ship's load lines and freeboard marks in accordance with which convention?

• A. UNCLOS
• B. SOLAS
• C. Load Lines Convention
• D. MARPOL

Answer: (C)

The Load Line Certificate is tied to a specific treaty that sets how a ship is marked and loaded. The International Convention on Load Lines, first established in 1966 and amended since, defines the system of load line and freeboard marks and the seasonal zones. The certificate serves as official proof that the vessel’s load lines and freeboard marks conform to those requirements, verified by the flag state through a survey and then carried aboard. Other conventions, such as UNCLOS, MARPOL, or SOLAS, cover different aspects of maritime law—boundaries, pollution prevention, and general safety—so they don’t specify the load line markings themselves.