During the passage of a severe storm the maximum vertical moments, including free surface moments, permitted on the DEEP DRILLER at survival draft is __________.

Correct Answer: Option B — 996,522 ft-tons

Vessel stability booklets and operating manuals for the DEEP DRILLER explicitly establish 996,522 ft-tons as the maximum allowable vertical and free surface bending moments at survival draft to prevent hull overstressing during severe storm conditions.