Question 2473 Deck Safety

The correct answer is D) .83 ft. The reduction in metacentric height (GM) due to free surface effect can be calculated using the formula: GM reduction = ρB^3/12ΔD, where ρ is the density of the liquid, B is the breadth of the tank, and Δ is the displacement of the vessel. Given the dimensions of the hold (35 ft x 50 ft) and the vessel's displacement (12,500 tons), the calculation yields a GM reduction of approximately 0.83 ft. This is the correct answer based on the provided information and the established formula for determining the free surface effect on metacentric height. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the GM reduction calculated using the formula and the given vessel characteristics.