Question 2175 Deck Safety

The correct answer is C) metacentric height. The metacentric height (GM) is the distance between the center of gravity (KG) and the metacenter (KM) of a floating vessel. The metacenter is the point where the buoyant force acts when the vessel is slightly inclined, and the metacentric height is a measure of the vessel's stability. When the metacentric height is positive (GM > 0), the vessel is stable and will tend to return to an upright position after being disturbed. Therefore, the result of subtracting KG from KM is the metacentric height, which is a crucial parameter in assessing the stability of a floating vessel. The other options are incorrect because: A) The height of the metacenter is represented by KM, not the difference between KM and KG. B) The height of the righting arm is a different stability parameter that is not directly related to the metacentric height. D) The height of the center of buoyancy is a different parameter that is not the same as the metacentric height.