Question 4122 Deck General

The correct answer is A) shallow water. The symptoms you described - decreased speed, the stern settling in the water, and sluggish rudder response - are all indicators of the vessel operating in shallow water. When a vessel enters shallow water, the reduced depth causes increased resistance and drag, resulting in decreased speed and the stern settling deeper in the water. Additionally, the reduced water depth can impair the effectiveness of the rudder, making it sluggish in responding to commands. The other options are incorrect because they do not fully explain the specific symptoms described. Loss of lubricating oil (B) would not necessarily cause the observed changes, and mechanical problems with the steering gear (C) would not explain the overall decreased performance. Current (D) may contribute to the vessel's behavior, but is not the primary cause of the symptoms given.