Nautical Term: Metacentre
Definition of Metacentre
The metacentre refers to the vertical axis around which a floating body, such as a ship, remains stable when a small external moment is applied. For small angles of heel, the metacentre remains on the centreline of the ship.
For instance, imagine a large cargo ship sailing in calm waters. While the ship’s cargo is being loaded or unloaded, the ship’s stability is crucial to prevent capsizing. In such a scenario, the ship’s metacentre plays a vital role in maintaining the ship’s stability.
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