The term raw water refers to water drawn from where?

• A. The engine's internal reservoir
• B. The ship's potable water tank
• C. The sea or surrounding water
• D. A cooling system reservoir

Answer: (C)

Raw water is water taken directly from the natural environment for non-potable uses on a ship. It comes from the sea or surrounding water before any treatment for drinking or closed-loop systems. On board, the raw-water system supplies seawater to cooling equipment and other non-potable services. In contrast, potable water tanks hold treated drinking water, engine reservoirs contain engine coolant or lubricants, and a cooling-system reservoir holds water that’s already in the closed cooling loop. So the correct source is the sea or surrounding water.