Question 2492 Deck Safety

The correct answer is D) 1.5 feet. The reduction in metacentric height due to free surface in a hold with free water on tank tops can be calculated using the formula: GM' = GM - (b^3 / 12 * d * displacement), where GM is the original metacentric height, b is the width of the hold, and d is the density of the liquid in the hold. Given that the hold is 50 feet long and 50 feet wide, and the vessel has a displacement of 10,000 tons, the reduction in metacentric height is 1.5 feet. This is the correct answer based on the formula and the provided information. The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the reduction in metacentric height for the given vessel and hold dimensions.