Question 1722 Deck Safety

The correct answer is D) All of the above. In a sagging condition, the vessel's midship section is under high tensile stress. Encountering heavy weather can exacerbate this, leading to potential buckling of the deck plating. To relieve this strain, the captain should take multiple actions: 1) Reduce speed to decrease the dynamic forces on the vessel's structure. 2) Pump fuel or ballast from the midship region to the ends of the vessel, shifting weight distribution to counter the sagging condition. 3) Adjust the vessel's course to orient the hull in a way that eases the wave-induced stresses. All three of these measures can help mitigate the risk of structural damage when operating a vessel in a sagging condition during heavy weather. The other answer choices, while potentially helpful, do not address the full range of appropriate actions the captain should consider.