Your vessel is damaged, listing to port and on occasion flopping to the same angle to starboard. It has a long, slow, sluggish roll around the angle of list. There is excessive trim by the stern with little freeboard aft. What action should you take FIRST to correct this situation?

Correct Answer: Option D — Press up any slack double-bottom tanks forward of the tipping center, then fill the forepeak if empty.

Sluggish rolling combined with a port/starboard flop indicates severe free surface effect and low GM, while extreme stern trim threatens downflooding. Pressing up double-bottom tanks forward of the tipping center eliminates dangerous free surface and simultaneously corrects dangerous aft trim.