Definition of "metacentre" (physics, nautical) The point where a vertical line through a tilted vessel 's center of buoyancy intersects the originally -vertical (but -now -tilted ) line that passed through the center of buoyancy when the vessel was upright ; it must be above the vessel 's center of gravity for the vessel to have positive static stability (to tend to return to an upright orientation if rolled to one side , rather than to continue rolling to an inverted orientation ). quotations examples
Quotations A ship 's metacenter (M ) is the virtual intersection of two successive lines of action of the force of buoyancy when the ship heels through a very small angle . The initial position of the metacenter is used as a reference in stability calculations . The distance from a ship 's center of gravity (G ) to its metacenter is known as the metacentric height (GM ). GM is a measure of the vessel 's ability to right itself when experiencing an overturning moment . For the same vessel , a higher GM value indicates a greater initial static stability .
2017 December 12, National Transportation Safety Board, “1.12 Stability Information - 1.12.1 Concepts”, in Marine Accident Report: Sinking of US Cargo Vessel SS El Faro, Atlantic Ocean, Northeast of Acklins and Crooked Island, Bahamas, October 1, 2015, archived from the original on 15 May 2022, page 132