While steaming at 17.5 knots, your vessel consumes 378 barrels of fuel oil per day. In order to reduce consumption to 194 barrels of fuel oil per day, what is the maximum speed the vessel can turn for?

Correct Answer: Option D — 14.0 knots

Fuel consumption varies with the cube of the speed (F1/F2 = (V1/V2)^3). Using the ratio of 378/194, calculate the cube root of the consumption ratio and multiply by the original speed of 17.5 knots. This cubic relationship is a fundamental principle in marine engineering and vessel performance analysis found in Bowditch.