🔍 Key Concepts

• Freeboard and how it relates to reserve buoyancy (how much hull is still out of the water) • Difference between initial stability (GM) and stability at large angles (GZ curve) • Which factors depend mainly on the ship’s internal arrangements (tanks, compartments) versus overall hull height above water

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: If I increase freeboard (raise the deck higher above the water), does that mostly change what happens at small angles of heel, or how the ship behaves when it is heeled far over? • Consider which choice (A–D) is most directly affected by the ship’s external geometry above the waterline rather than the internal liquids or spaces. • Think about which option is most closely tied to reserve buoyancy and the range of positive stability when the ship is heeled to large angles.

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on the distinction between GM (metacentric height) for small angles and the GZ righting arm curve for large angles. • Verify which options (A, B) mainly depend on internal tank filling and compartment characteristics, not on how high the freeboard is. • Check which answer choice is most influenced by how much hull volume remains above water as the vessel heels.