The SS AMERICAN MARINER is ready to bunker with drafts of FWD 14'-06", AFT 17'-00". After all bunkers are on board, soundings indicate the tonnages shown in table ST-0085 below. Use the white pages of The Stability Data Reference Book to determine the free surface correction.

Correct Answer: Option C — 0.84 foot

Accurate stability calculations require the inclusion of free surface moments for all slack tanks. Based on the data provided in table ST-0085 and the vessel's displacement at the specified draft, the resulting free surface correction to the metacentric height is 0.84 feet.