🔍 Key Concepts

• Effect of loading weight above or below the existing center of gravity (G) on the ship’s KG • Which points are fixed for small changes in loading: K (keel) and usually M, versus which move: G and B • How a change in KG affects GM using the relation GM = KM − KG

💭 Think About

• On this sketch, is the main deck located above or below the current position of G? What does adding weight there do to the combined center of gravity? • Does placing weight on the main deck change the position of the keel (K), or only the draft and thus the underwater shape? • If the draft increases slightly, what happens to the center of buoyancy (B) and the value of KB — does it move up or down as more of the hull is immersed?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which of the quantities K, KB, G, GM are geometric references tied to the hull (and mostly fixed) and which depend directly on how the vessel is loaded • Confirm whether adding weight on the main deck makes KG larger or smaller, then use GM = KM − KG to decide if GM increases or decreases • Verify from basic hydrostatics whether increased immersion generally moves the center of buoyancy upward, affecting KB accordingly