Question 142Safety & Environmental - Assistant Engineer

The correct answer is C) draft. The draft of a vessel is the distance between the bottom of the hull and the waterline. This is a key measurement that determines how deep a ship can safely navigate in the water without running aground. The draft is an important factor in vessel stability and seaworthiness, as it impacts the vessel's displacement, buoyancy, and ability to handle waves and currents. The other answer choices are incorrect: Freeboard (A) refers to the distance between the waterline and the main deck, reserve buoyancy (B) is the amount of extra buoyancy a vessel has beyond its loaded displacement, and tonnage (D) is a measure of a vessel's size or cargo capacity.