See the draft numbers? Here‘s a good definition of and discussion of their usages. I pay attention to these just because I’m a curious layperson. These appear in multiple locations around the hull because draft varies longitudinally. The markings here I’ve read near the stern, as below, or the bow.
This bulk carrier had discharged most of its load and not yet ballasted itself for sailing. The froth forward of the draft numbers comes from the cooling system. The two staples (or are they padeyes?) would be useful in the case of propeller work or other underwater repairs near the stern of the vessel. All those other numbers indicate info about the interior structure of the vessel, and are above my current paygrade.
The draft markings I read as 9.2. Some of you might read this with more nuance. These marks differ from payload to payload and are also used to measure air draft.
I’d read this as 10.8.
I read this as 11.
This starboard bow marking I’d call at 11.3. With this vessel underway, notice the physics causing the water to flow over the bulb and up the knife edge.
This . . .12.6.
Lots of info here, but the draft makings here say 13.4. The 90t on the recessed shell bitt indicates how much towing pressure this is capable of. The G and L on the load line disk indicates the Germanischer Lloyd classification society; an A and B here would mean American Bureau of Shipping.
Draft here looks like 14.4. The disk with four spokes indicates the location of the thruster.
I digress, but Hyundai Speed has two bow thrusters. Note also the info on the size of the bulb.
Note that two sets of draft markings (and two staples) here.
I read this as 14.4.
So how about this one? Is it the deepest of all?
Actually, Double Skin 509A has the least draft. This is feet and would convert to about a 5.2 on the same scale as the others shown above. Well . . . we have resisted much use of metric measures.
All photos, WVD, who alone is responsible for any errors here. For much more on ship classification societies, click here.
tugster: a waterblog 
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March 11, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Christian Herrou
Hello Will – I do not fully agree with the way you read the draft. For exemple you said 14.4m for the (black hull with thruster disk) – and same mistake on picture above (blue hull 13.4m) In fact you have to read 14.5 and 13.5m – Each digit is 10cm and each space is also 10cm : by this way you have 14.4m when sea level at the base of the 4 – then 14.5m when the sea is on top of the 4. In fact when you read this you have to consider the precision as 5cm (half the digit or half the space) This is the same with Imperial system : each digit is 6 inches high then it’s nominal at the base of digit – middle of digit is nominal +3 inches – top of digit is nominal +6 inches – middle of space is nominal +9inches …. And next digit. Bonne journée à toi
March 11, 2021 at 3:03 pm
Les Sonnenmark
A few centimeters may matter. We tend to think of a ship’s draft and trim in the static mode, either pierside or at anchor. But the draft and trim may change when underway. The effect is called “squat” and is well-explained here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squat_effect. it’s most significant when moving fast in shallower water. So, in critical situations, when the static draft and the water depth are close, movement of the ship may cause the draft to increase, with the vessel grounding unexpectedly.
March 11, 2021 at 9:03 pm
tugster
Christian and Les– You are right that precision and centimeters matter. I’ve no training in reading the draft marks, and you have pointed that out. Thx for your comments.