Your vessel is damaged and listing to port. There is a short rolling period around the angle of list. The port side freeboard is reduced to 1 foot. There is no trim and the weather is calm. You should FIRST __________.

Correct Answer: Option C — pump out a slack marine portable tank located on the portside amidships

Pumping out a slack portside tank lowers the center of gravity and eliminates dangerous free surface effect. Given the critically low freeboard and short rolling period indicating high initial stability, removing off-center liquid weight prevents capshear and increases residual stability.