A cargo vessel of 9,000 tons displacement is carrying a slack deep tank of molasses (SG 1.4). The tank measures 20 feet long and 30 feet wide. What will be the reduction in metacentric height due to free surface, with the vessel floating in sea water (SG 1.026)?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option C: .195 ft.. Free surface correction for liquids with different specific gravities incorporates the density ratio relative to sea water. The formula FSC = (l * b^3 * SG_liquid) / (12 * W * SG_water) applied to a molasses tank yields a 0.195 ft reduction in metacentric height.