Question 1999 Deck Safety

The correct answer is C) center of buoyancy. Stability of a vessel is determined primarily by the location of the center of gravity and the center of buoyancy. The center of buoyancy is the geometric center of the submerged portion of the vessel, and it is the point at which the buoyant force acts. The position of the center of buoyancy relative to the center of gravity is a key factor in determining the vessel's stability. If the center of buoyancy is below the center of gravity, the vessel will have positive stability, meaning it will tend to return to an upright position after being disturbed. The other options, such as the keel or aft perpendicular, are not the primary factors in determining a vessel's stability.