Question 5103 Deck General

The correct answer is D) failure of mooring lines 1 or 2. The sudden unexpected inclination to starboard and aft, combined with strong wind and high waves on the port bow, suggests a failure of the mooring lines that are responsible for maintaining the DEEP DRILLER's position and stability. Mooring lines 1 and 2 are typically the primary lines that resist forces from the port bow, so their failure would allow the rig to shift in the direction of the wind and waves, resulting in the observed inclination. The other options are incorrect because they do not directly address the observed shift in the rig's position. Ballast tank issues (A and B) would not typically cause such a sudden and dramatic shift, and the failure of other mooring lines (C) would not explain the specific direction of the inclination.