Question 3940 Deck General

The correct answer is B) decrease speed. When a vessel's screw is being lifted clear of the water and racing in heavy seas, decreasing the vessel's speed is the appropriate action to take. This helps to prevent damage to the propeller and engine, and regain control of the vessel. Increasing speed (A) would further lift the screw out of the water and exacerbate the problem. Moving more weight forward (C) or shifting the rudder back and forth (D) would not directly address the issue of the lifted propeller. Reducing speed is the most effective way to address this situation and maintain control of the vessel in heavy seas.