Question 298Safety & Environmental - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is C) the pump is sucking air. A gurgling noise from within a cargo tank during discharge indicates that the pump is drawing in air, which is causing the cargo to aerate and create the gurgling sound. This is a sign that the pump is not fully submerged in the liquid cargo, likely due to a low liquid level in the tank. The other answer choices are incorrect because a partially clogged tank foot valve (A) would cause flow restriction, not air entrainment, and excessive pump discharge pressure (D) would not directly result in a gurgling noise. While a very viscous cargo (B) could contribute to air entrainment, the gurgling noise is a more direct indicator of the pump sucking air.