Your vessel has been damaged in a grounding and one compartment has partially flooded. As a result, you have lost buoyancy. If transverse stability in the flooded condition is poor or negative, every effort should be made to reduce the free surface and to lower the center of gravity. Which of the following should you ensure is maintained?

Correct Answer: Option C — As much reserve buoyancy as possible.

Reserve buoyancy is the volume of the watertight portion of the ship above the waterline. In a damaged condition, maintaining this volume is critical to prevent progressive flooding and to ensure the vessel retains sufficient buoyancy to remain afloat while stability is being managed.