______ and ______ are arranged in the design of a vessel so that water shipped in a heavy sea may move freely across or along the deck and overboard.

• A. Camber, sheer
• B. Bulwark, scupper
• C. Deck, hull
• D. Keel, stern

Answer: (A)

Water on deck in heavy seas is best managed by shaping the deck so water can flow off quickly rather than pool. The two curves relied on are camber and sheer. Camber is the transverse curve of the deck, making the surface higher in the middle and sloping toward the sides, so any water that lands on the deck tends to run toward the bulwarks and overboard. Sheer is the longitudinal curve of the deck, lifting the bow and stern relative to midship so water also moves toward the ends and toward discharge points. Put together, these features let water move freely across and along the deck and be shed overboard efficiently.

Bulwarks and scuppers relate to barriers and outlets, not the deck’s curvature that enables this free movement. Deck and hull describe broader structures, and keel with stern aren’t about directing deck water the way camber and sheer do.