Which term describes the front-to-back tilt of a vessel?

• A. Trim
• B. List
• C. Heel
• D. Sway

Answer: (A)

Front-to-back tilt is described by trim. Trim is the difference in how deep the bow and stern sit in the water, so it tells you how the vessel is riding along its length. Getting trim right matters for efficiency, handling, and stability, so it’s adjusted by shifting ballast, fuel, or cargo. If the bow sits lower than the stern, that’s forward trim; if the stern sits lower, that’s aft trim. The other terms describe tilts or motions in different directions: list is tilt to one side, heel is lean from turning or weight shift, and sway refers to another kind of movement not about fore-and-aft tilt.