You have 700 tons of below deck tonnage including liquid mud. Your existing deck cargo is 200 tons with a VCG above the deck of 3.0 feet. What is the maximum additional cargo tonnage you are permitted to load? See illustration D036DG below.

Correct Answer: Option A — 20 tons

Stability compliance under 46 CFR Subchapter W requires evaluating maximum allowable deck cargo against total below-deck weight and VCG limits from illustration D036DG. Interpolating the vessel's loading curve with 700 tons below deck and existing deck cargo yields a maximum additional deck loading capacity of 20 tons.