What does the term "heel" refer to in maritime contexts?

In maritime contexts, the term "heel" specifically refers to the tilt or inclination of a vessel from its vertical axis. This tilt can occur due to various factors, such as wind pressure on sails, the weight of cargo that may be unevenly distributed, or even the weight of the crew moving about the vessel. Understanding heel is crucial for assessing a vessel's stability and ensuring that it remains upright and safe during operations.

The degree of heel can significantly affect a ship's performance and stability, as excessive heel could lead to situations like reduced performance or capsizing in extreme cases. Thus, recognizing and managing heel is a vital part of seamanship and vessel operation.

The other options address concepts that do not pertain to the term in question; for instance, elevation above water pertains to draft or freeboard, while the amount of cargo loaded relates to cargo capacity, and the distance traveled is associated with navigation and speed. These do not accurately capture the meaning of "heel" in a maritime sense.