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Vessel Stability and Naval Architecture Flashcards

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  1. The angle of loll occurs when:

    Answer: A vessel with negative initial GM finds a heeled equilibrium position

    Angle of loll is the angle at which an initially unstable vessel (negative GM) heels until buoyancy geometry provides just enough righting moment to balance gravity, creating a heeled but momentarily stable position.

  2. Reserve buoyancy is best described as:

    Answer: The intact watertight volume of the vessel above the waterline

    Reserve buoyancy is the watertight volume above the current waterline that can provide additional flotation if the vessel takes on water or is overloaded, delaying or preventing sinking.

  3. The longitudinal center of gravity (LCG) is primarily used to calculate:

    Answer: The vessel's trim (fore-and-aft inclination)

    LCG is compared to the longitudinal center of buoyancy (LCB) to determine whether the vessel trims by the head or stern; when LCG is forward of LCB the vessel trims by the head.

  4. The downflooding angle is the angle of heel at which:

    Answer: Water begins to enter the vessel through non-watertight openings above the waterline

    The downflooding angle is the heel angle at which seawater can enter through deck openings, ventilators, or other non-watertight closures, rapidly worsening stability and risking foundering.

  5. A GZ stability curve with a large area under it indicates:

    Answer: Good dynamic stability and strong resistance to capsizing

    The area under the GZ curve represents dynamic stability—the energy needed to capsize the vessel—so a larger area means greater resistance to being capsized by waves, wind, or cargo shift.

  6. Deadweight tonnage (DWT) represents:

    Answer: The total weight a vessel can carry including cargo, fuel, ballast, crew, and stores

    DWT is the difference between full load displacement and light ship displacement, representing everything a vessel can carry: cargo, fuel, fresh water, ballast, crew, passengers, and stores.

  7. Adding ballast weight at a low position in the vessel will:

    Answer: Lower the center of gravity and improve transverse stability

    Adding weight at a low position pulls the overall center of gravity (G) downward, increasing GM (since GM = KM − KG) and improving initial transverse stability.