Question 2150 Deck Safety

The correct answer is D) Negative. When the height of the metacenter (the point where the buoyant force acts) is less than the height of the center of gravity, the vessel has negative stability. This means that if the vessel is inclined or heeled over, the righting moment (the force that tries to restore the vessel to an upright position) will actually push the vessel further away from the upright position, causing it to continue heeling over. This is an unstable condition and can lead to the vessel capsizing. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) Stable - This would be the case if the metacenter was above the center of gravity. B) Neutral - This would occur if the metacenter and center of gravity were at the same height. C) Positive - This is the opposite of negative stability, where the metacenter is above the center of gravity.