If the cause of a sudden severe list is due to negative initial stability, counter flooding into empty ballast tanks may __________.

Correct Answer: Option C — cause the unit to flop to a greater angle

Negative initial stability means the center of gravity sits above the metacenter, creating an unstable upright equilibrium. Counter flooding free-surface ballast liquids shifts the center of gravity higher or induces shifting weights, causing the vessel to flop further to a dynamic angle of loll.