As can be seen from the image below, a Striker Plate is fitted at the bottom of ballast tank sounding pipes. The purpose of this plate is to prevent the tank from getting damaged/dented because of the repeated contact with the end-weight of a sounding tapes.
Whenever soundings are taken, a sharp thud is heard when the sounding tape comes in contact with the ballast tank bottom. This might damage the ballast tank. Hence, a striker plate is fitted to prevent this.
