Question 2168 Deck Safety

The correct answer is D) righting arm. The righting arm is the horizontal distance between the vertical lines of action of gravity and the buoyant forces. This distance is a key factor in determining a vessel's stability, as it represents the lever arm that generates a righting moment when the vessel is heeled or rolled. A larger righting arm indicates greater stability and the ability to right the vessel when it is inclined. The other options are incorrect because they refer to different aspects of vessel stability. Metacentric height and metacentric radius are related to the vessel's center of gravity and center of buoyancy, but do not directly represent the righting arm. The height of the center of buoyancy is also a distinct concept from the righting arm.