Which of the following actions is crucial for preventing tank overfills?

Continuous flow monitoring is essential for preventing tank overfills because it involves the real-time assessment of the volume of liquid being transferred into the tank. By constantly tracking the flow rate and the level of liquid within the tank, operators can detect any potential overflow conditions and take immediate action to stop or adjust the flow. This system ensures that the tanks are filled to safe levels and mitigates the risk of spillage, which can lead to environmental hazards and safety issues.

The other actions, while they may have their importance in operational efficiency and safety, do not directly address the critical need for real-time monitoring of liquid levels during the filling process. Regular crew breaks, for instance, focus on crew well-being and fatigue management, while maximizing tank capacity could actually increase the risk of overfills if not monitored correctly. Reducing the discharge rate might help slow down the filling process, but without continuous monitoring, it does not guarantee that an overfill will not occur. Thus, continuous flow monitoring is the fundamental practice that enables effective management of tank levels and prevents overfilling incidents.