Question 133Safety & Environmental - Assistant Engineer

The correct answer is B) preventing water from draining to the bilge well. Clogged limber holes can endanger a ship's stability by preventing water from draining to the bilge well. Limber holes are openings in the floor of a ship's bilge that allow water to flow freely to the bilge well, where it can be pumped out. If these holes become clogged, water cannot drain properly, which can lead to an increase in the ship's free surface effect and a reduction in overall stability. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) increasing water area on the keelson would not directly impact stability, C) decreasing off-center weight would actually improve stability, and D) preventing the free surface effect is the opposite of what clogged limber holes would do.