Before commencing work on a dry bulk carrier, where should the gas be freed?

The correct answer highlights the importance of ensuring safety through proper gas freeing procedures before beginning work on a dry bulk carrier. When preparing for operations, particularly in environments like cargo tanks and holds, it's crucial to ensure that any potentially harmful gases are removed. This is essential to prevent any risk of explosion or toxic exposure to personnel.

Gas freeing in cargo tanks and holds is critical because these areas are often where dangerous gases, such as flammable vapors or toxic substances, can accumulate. By performing gas freeing in these locations, the crew can ensure a safe working environment, reducing the likelihood of accidents.

In contrast, while freeing gases in the engine room, galley, deck, and ballast tanks can also be important, they do not address the immediate risks associated specifically with the cargo tanks and holds, where hazardous gases are most likely to be present due to the nature of the cargo carried. Therefore, focusing on gas freeing in cargo tanks and holds provides the best assurance of safety during the commencement of work on this type of vessel.