Exam Question

### (a) Purpose of Conducting Inclining Experiment
The primary purpose of an inclining experiment is to determine the lightship displacement and the precise location of the vessel's center of gravity (KG and LCG) in its 'as-built' condition. This is a mandatory practical test of a ship's stability conducted upon completion of construction, after major modifications, or if there is any doubt about the vessel's stability data. It is a critical procedure witnessed and approved by classification societies and flag state authorities.
The key objectives are:
1. **Determination of Lightship KG**: The experiment provides the metacentric height (GM) of the vessel in the inclined condition. Using the known dimensions of the ship (from which KM can be calculated) and the displacement at the time of the experiment, the height of the center of gravity (KG) can be accurately determined. This 'as-built' KG is the foundational value for all future stability calculations.