Question 203Safety & Environmental - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is C) tanks are ballasted. When a vessel's tanks are ballasted, the weight of the ballast water lowers the vessel's center of gravity, making it more stable. Increasing the ballast in the lower parts of the vessel shifts the center of gravity downwards, improving the vessel's overall stability and safety. The other options are incorrect because: A) Increasing reserve buoyancy does not directly affect the center of gravity. B) Increasing freeboard raises the center of gravity, making the vessel less stable. D) Increasing trim (the difference in draft between the bow and stern) does not necessarily lower the center of gravity.