🔍 Key Concepts

• Free surface effect and how it impacts stability when water is loose inside tanks or compartments • Relationship between center of gravity (G) and stability (GM – metacentric height) • Effects of shifting weights or cargo on list and overall stability

💭 Think About

• Think about which option will help lower the vessel’s center of gravity or improve GM, rather than just changing how the vessel looks (list vs no list). • Ask yourself: does this action reduce the amount of loose, moving liquid inside the ship, or does it make that problem worse? • Consider which action might only hide the symptom (the list) without actually improving the vessel’s ability to resist capsizing.

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which option directly addresses free surface and reduces its negative effect. • Check which choice would lower (or at least not raise) the ship’s center of gravity, improving stability. • Eliminate any action that merely shifts cargo or obviously increases the center of gravity, as these usually reduce stability.