Question 334Safety & Environmental - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is C) Transfer the fuel to lower the ship's KG and minimize the free surface effect. The explanation is as follows: 1. The IMO Resolution A167, 1968, Res. No. 749 sets the general criterion for vessels of more than 100 meters in length, and it requires a minimum GM (metacentric height) of 0.15 meters. Since your vessel's GM is less than the required 0.15 meters after refueling, you need to take action to comply with the regulation. 2. Transferring the fuel to lower the ship's KG (vertical center of gravity) and minimize the free surface effect will help increase the GM, which is the correct action to take in this situation. Lowering the KG will improve the vessel's stability and bring it back into compliance with the IMO regulation. 3. Option D, transferring the fuel to raise the ship's KG and ignoring the free surface effect, would not be the correct action, as it would further decrease the GM and make the vessel less stable.