Sagging means which of the following?

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

Answer: (C)

Sagging describes a longitudinal bend in the hull where the center of the ship sits lower than the ends. This happens when buoyancy supports more weight at the bow and stern than at the midship, or when loads shift toward the ends so the midsection drops. So the center being down relative to the ends is what sagging means. It’s the opposite of hogging, where the midship rises and the ends dip. In practice, sagging concentrates stress at the midship, so balanced loading and careful ballast distribution help prevent it.