🔍 Key Concepts

• Freeing ports and scuppers allow shipped water to drain off the deck • Free surface effect and how water trapped on deck affects stability • Difference between weight high up vs. water movement on deck

💭 Think About

• What happens to stability when water is trapped on deck and can move from side to side? • Does blocking freeing ports make the deck drier or allow more water to remain and shift? • Which options talk about stability increasing vs. decreasing, and which one best matches the behavior of loose water on deck?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify how free surface effect generally affects stability (increase or decrease?). • Decide whether water trapped on deck is considered a good or bad condition for stability. • Eliminate any choices that misunderstand where the effect occurs (e.g., below vs. above the center of gravity) or that confuse freeboard with water on deck.