Your vessel is damaged with no list, but down by the stern. There is progressive flooding and trim by the stern is increasing. What is the effect on transverse stability after the deck edge at the stern is submerged?

Correct Answer: Option A — BM decreases from loss of water plane and greater volume.

Submerging the deck edge drastically alters the vessel's waterplane geometry. The transverse metacentric radius (BM) decreases due to the sudden loss of waterplane moment of inertia and altered volume shape, directly degrading transverse stability and reducing righting arms.