Question 2191 Deck Safety

The correct answer is D) righting arm. When positive stability exists, GZ (the distance between the center of gravity and the metacenter) represents the righting arm. The righting arm is the lever arm that generates the righting moment, which acts to restore the vessel to an upright position when it is heeled or inclined. The righting arm is a crucial parameter in assessing a vessel's stability characteristics. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) The righting moment is the product of the righting arm (GZ) and the vessel's displacement. B) Metacentric height is a measure of a vessel's initial stability, not the righting arm. C) The center of gravity is a different parameter that affects stability, but is not the righting arm.