Question 1756 Deck Safety

The correct answer is D) cause the vessel to flop to a greater angle. When a vessel experiences a sudden severe list due to negative initial stability, counterflooding into empty tanks can actually exacerbate the problem. Counterflooding will increase the vessel's free surface effect, further reducing the righting arm and righting moment. This can cause the vessel to "flop" or list to an even greater angle, rather than bringing it back to an upright equilibrium position. Options A and B are incorrect because counterflooding would decrease the righting arm and righting moment in this scenario. Option C is incorrect because counterflooding would not bring the vessel back to an upright position when the initial stability is negative.