A semisubmersible which flops between...

🔍 Key Concepts

• Longitudinal center of gravity (LCG) vs longitudinal center of buoyancy (LCB) and how their relative positions affect trim • The meaning of KML and KMT (longitudinal vs transverse metacentric heights) and which one relates to trim • How a semi-submersible’s tendency to pitch or “flop” between bow-down and stern-down is linked to longitudinal stability rather than transverse stability

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: is this problem talking about the vessel rolling side to side, or trimming bow up/bow down? Which stability axis is that? • Which of the listed quantities (KML, KMT, LCG, LCB, KGL) directly affects trimming behavior about the transverse axis (i.e., fore-and-aft balance)? • If a vessel can easily change from bow-down to stern-down with very small changes, what does that say about how closely the centers that control trim are aligned or how strong its longitudinal righting lever is?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which of the options relate to longitudinal properties, not transverse properties • Recall that trim is controlled by the relationship between LCG and LCB, and by longitudinal metacentric height (GM_L) • Before picking an answer, be sure you know whether the symbol refers to transverse or longitudinal stability, and whether it involves center of gravity (G) or center of buoyancy (B)

A semisubmersible which flops between forward and aft angles of trim is likely to have __________.

KML greater than KMT

an off-center LCG

KML less than KGL

LCG greater than LCB

🔍 Key Concepts

💭 Think About

✅ Before You Answer