Question 2482 Deck Safety

The correct answer is A) 4.83 feet. The reduction in GM (metacentric height) due to free surface effect is calculated using the formula: Reduction in GM = I / (displacement + weight of water on deck). In this case, the moment of inertia (I) of the water on the deck is 52.8 * (52^3 / 12) = 4,863,360 ton-ft^2. The total displacement, including the weight of the water on the deck, is 869 + 52.8 = 921.8 tons. Plugging these values into the formula, the reduction in GM is 4,863,360 / 921.8 = 4.83 feet. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not match the calculated value of 4.83 feet.