Question 4124 Deck General

The correct answer is C) Squatting. Squatting occurs when a ship's bow rides up on its own bow wave while the stern sinks into a depression of the transverse wave system. This phenomenon is caused by the ship's shape and speed interacting with the shallow water, which creates an uneven distribution of water pressure around the vessel. The elevated bow and depressed stern can reduce the ship's stability and maneuverability, making it important for mariners to recognize and address this condition. The other options are incorrect because: A) Broaching refers to a ship suddenly turning sideways to the direction of travel, often due to a loss of steering control. B) Fish tailing is the uncontrolled yawing or side-to-side motion of a ship's stern. D) Parallel sinkage is when a ship sinks evenly, with no significant difference in the bow and stern draft.