Question 2035 Deck Safety

The correct answer is C) is zero. When a vessel's stability is neutral, the metacentric height (GM) is zero. This means that the center of gravity (G) is located directly above the metacenter (M), resulting in a neutral or indifferent equilibrium. In this state, the vessel will neither tend to right itself nor capsize when subjected to an external force or moment, as the righting arm (the distance between G and M) is zero. The other options are incorrect because: A) the height of the metacenter alone does not determine GM, B) the height of the center of gravity is just one factor that affects GM, and D) a lower center of gravity (G) would actually increase GM and improve the vessel's stability, not make it greater when G is low.