Question 1934 Deck Safety

The correct answer is B) They increase resistance to rolling. Bilge keels are fins that extend below the hull of a ship, typically near the bilge (the bottom of the hull). Their primary function is to increase the vessel's resistance to rolling, which helps improve stability and reduce the likelihood of capsizing. By creating additional drag and reducing the vessel's roll, bilge keels enhance the ship's overall seaworthiness and safety. The other answer choices are incorrect. Option A is incorrect because bilge keels do not provide support when the vessel is dry-docked. Option C is incorrect because bilge keels are not critical strength members, and their design does not require the same level of consideration as the hull structure. Option D is incorrect because bilge keels are attached to a high-stress area of the hull, not a low-stress area.