Angle of Loll refers to the angle of heel at which a ship with negative GM (i.e., unstable equilibrium) comes to rest due to the movement of the center of buoyancy beneath the center of gravity. When a ship with negative metacentric height heels to one side—usually due to an external force like wind or wave action—the center of buoyancy moves toward the lower side. As the heel increases, the center of buoyancy continues to shift outward, and if it moves directly under the center of gravity (G), the capsizing moment is momentarily nullified. The angle at which this occurs is called the angle of loll.

Dangers it poses to a vessel:

• The ship oscillates about the angle of loll rather than about the upright vertical, indicating unstable equilibrium.
• If the center of buoyancy does not move sufficiently to position itself vertically beneath G, the vessel lacks restoring force and may capsize.
• The condition is particularly hazardous because it mimics stability from appearance, but in reality, the ship is in a precarious balance.

Actions to correct angle of loll:

• Do not attempt to upright the ship by shifting weight transversely, as this can worsen the condition.
• Press up double bottom tanks to add weight low down and lower the center of gravity, converting GM from negative to positive.
• Once positive GM is restored, the vessel will return to upright and exhibit true stability.