Question 2081 Deck Safety

The correct answer is D) the amount of liquid in slack tanks. The effects of free surface on a vessel's initial stability do not depend on the amount of liquid in slack tanks. Free surface effect is caused by the movement of the liquid surface in a tank, which creates a shift in the vessel's center of gravity and reduces the vessel's initial stability. The key factors that affect free surface effect are the specific gravity of the liquid, the dimensions of the liquid surface, and the volume of displacement of the vessel, but not the amount of liquid in the tank. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) the specific gravity of the liquid does affect free surface effect, B) the volume of displacement affects free surface effect, and C) the dimensions of the liquid surface affect free surface effect.