In what scenario would you expect to see an increase in the stability of a vessel?

The scenario where you would expect to see an increase in the stability of a vessel occurs when the vessel is fully loaded. A fully loaded vessel typically has a lower center of gravity and a wider beam, both of which contribute to enhanced stability. When a vessel is loaded properly, the weight is distributed evenly, which promotes a lower center of gravity and increases metacentric height, leading to greater stability against rolling and pitching motions.

In contrast, when ballast tanks are empty, the vessel may experience increased instability due to a higher center of gravity and less weight to counteract forces such as wind and waves. Flooding adjacent compartments can also adversely affect stability by altering the vessel's weight distribution and potentially causing a list. Using slack tanks can lead to instability because, if they are not filled with water, the vessel may become top-heavy, further increasing the center of gravity and reducing stability. Therefore, a fully loaded vessel is generally associated with improved stability characteristics.