Which of the following conditions will cause the engine to operate in area "A" of the diagram shown in the illustration? Illustration MO-0126

Correct Answer: Option D — Excessive propeller cavitation

Excessive propeller cavitation unloads the marine diesel engine by reducing hydrodynamic thrust resistance, causing the engine to operate outside normal load limits into an overspeed or light-load region represented by area 'A' on marine performance diagrams.