A vessel carries three slack tanks of gasoline (SG .68). The vessel's displacement is 8,000 tons. Each tank is 50 ft. long and 20 ft. wide. What is the reduction in GM due to free surface with the vessel floating in sea water (SG 1.026)?

Correct Answer: Option B — .24 feet

Three slack tanks containing gasoline (SG 0.68), each measuring 50 by 20 feet on an 8,000-ton vessel, create a combined free surface moment. Factoring liquid density relative to seawater (1.026) produces a net metacentric height reduction of 0.24 feet.