Question 2149 Deck Safety

The correct answer is B) Stable. When the height of the metacenter (the point at which the buoyancy force acts) is greater than the height of the center of gravity, the vessel exhibits positive or stable stability. This means the vessel will tend to return to its upright position after being displaced or heeled over by external forces, such as wind or waves. The higher the metacenter is above the center of gravity, the more stable the vessel will be. The other options are incorrect because: A) Neutral stability occurs when the metacenter and center of gravity are at the same height, C) Negative stability occurs when the center of gravity is above the metacenter, and D) Unstable stability occurs when the center of gravity is above the metacenter, causing the vessel to capsize when displaced.