What happens to a vessel if it has a lower GM during adverse weather conditions?

A vessel's stability during adverse weather conditions is significantly influenced by its metacentric height (GM). When GM is lower, it means the distance between the center of gravity (G) and the metacenter (M) is reduced. This directly affects the vessel's ability to right itself after being tilted by waves or wind.

In the context of adverse weather, a lower GM results in a reduced righting moment, which is crucial for returning the ship to an upright position after being heeled over. As a consequence, the vessel becomes more prone to capsizing as it struggles to recover from heeling forces. The reduction in stability increases the risk of the vessel losing stability altogether, making it more likely to capsize when exposed to strong wind and wave actions.

Vessels with higher GM values possess greater initial stability and can withstand external forces much more effectively, thus mitigating the risk of capsizing during harsh conditions. Therefore, understanding the implications of GM on a vessel's behavior in adverse conditions is essential for safe navigation and seaworthiness.