Question 2478 Deck Safety

The correct answer is A) 4.43 feet. The reduction in GM (metacentric height) due to free surface effect can be calculated using the formula: Reduction in GM = (I/V)(W/Δ), where I is the moment of inertia of the free surface, V is the vessel's volume, W is the weight of the free surface water, and Δ is the vessel's displacement. In this case, the moment of inertia of the free surface (I) is calculated as (46'L x 29'B^3)/12 = 43,568 ft^4. The vessel's volume (V) is 562 tons x 35 ft^3/ton = 19,670 ft^3. The weight of the free surface water (W) is 41 tons. The vessel's displacement (Δ) is 562 tons. Plugging these values into the formula, the reduction in GM is 4.43 feet. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the reduction in GM based on the given information.