A vertical shift of weight to a position above the vessel's center of gravity will __________.

Correct Answer: Option B — decrease the righting moments

Shifting weight vertically upward increases the vessel's center of gravity (KG), which reduces the metacentric height (GM). Since the righting moment is a function of GM and the righting arm (GZ), raising the KG directly decreases the vessel's ability to generate righting moments, thereby compromising overall transverse stability.