Sagging is defined as which part of the ship being lower?

• A. Ends down
• B. Bow up
• C. Center down
• D. Stern up

Answer: (C)

Sagging occurs when the ship’s midsection sinks below the ends. In this condition, the hull bends so the center is lower than the bow and stern, giving a “dip” in the middle. That’s why the correct description is center down. The opposite pattern, where the midsection rises relative to the ends, is hogging. If ends were described as down or as bow/stern up, they would depict different bending states and not sagging. In practice, sagging signals a longitudinal bending moment that concentrates stress at the midship, so understanding this helps in assessing loading and stability during sea conditions.