Question 1995 Deck Safety

The correct answer is B) vertical location of the center of gravity. The maximum righting arm, which is a measure of a vessel's stability, depends on the position of the center of buoyancy and the vertical location of the center of gravity. The vertical position of the center of gravity relative to the center of buoyancy determines the lever arm that generates the righting moment, which is crucial for a vessel's ability to right itself when heeled over. The transverse and longitudinal centers of gravity, while important for overall stability, do not directly affect the maximum righting arm in the same way as the vertical center of gravity. The downflooding angle is also not a factor in determining the maximum righting arm.