In most cases, when a large merchant vessel enters shallow water at high speed the __________.

Correct Answer: Option D — bow will squat farther than the stern

Shallow water effect, or squat, causes a vessel to sink deeper and trim by the head as speed increases. The pressure distribution around the hull changes, creating a low-pressure zone under the bow that pulls it downward, significantly reducing under-keel clearance and impacting the vessel's steering response.