What aspect of a vessel's design can potentially hinder its stability during operation?

An excessively high center of gravity is a critical factor that can significantly undermine a vessel's stability during operation. Stability in a ship is greatly influenced by the relationship between the center of gravity (CG) and the center of buoyancy (CB). When the center of gravity is elevated, the vertical distance between the center of gravity and the center of buoyancy increases. This raises the metacentric height (GM), which can lead to a situation where the vessel is more prone to tilting.

When a boat heeling occurs, as in adverse weather or when maneuvering, a higher center of gravity means there is a higher likelihood of the vessel tipping over further than it can right itself. Ultimately, a high center of gravity reduces the effectiveness of the ship's righting arm and can lead to a loss of stability, increasing the risk of capsizing.

Other aspects of design, such as a shallow draft, rounded hull shape, or strong hull material, may affect performance or safety in various ways, but none inherently pose as direct a threat to stability as an excessively high center of gravity does. The primary concern with a vessel's design regarding stability is how the center of gravity interacts with other stability factors, making the latter the most critical aspect to manage