ABSTRACT
The paper describes a case study during the design of a Split Hopper Dredger, which was shown to be highly depended on the assumed distribution of the Lightship Weight in Stillwater. Due to the referred case, a general overview of the possible methods for the LWT Distribution was analysed in this paper. The typical tasks taken nowadays by the Classification Societies, to review any newbuilding, have been also evaluated, exposing the potential problems on their role to duly survey the LWT Distribution curve. It is then assumed that a reliable definition of a LWT Distribution Curve should be based on the geometric properties of a Trapezium for each weight element of the LWT List. Therefore, it is described all the best considerations that the Designer should follow, being aware of the common errors that must be totally avoided, in order to properly define a trustable shape of the LWT Distribution.
