In stability practices, what is commonly used to restore stability?

To restore stability in a vessel, redistributing weight and using ballast is a fundamental practice. Stability relies on having a low center of gravity and an appropriate distribution of weight; when a vessel experiences an unfavorable shift in weight—due to cargo movement, water accumulation, or other factors—its stability may be compromised.

By redistributing weight—placing heavier items lower in the hull or shifting cargo toward the vessel's centerline—one can enhance stability. Additionally, using ballast, which often involves adding water or heavy materials to the bottom of the vessel, further lowers the center of gravity and increases the moment of inertia, making the vessel more resistant to heeling or capsizing.

The other choices do not effectively or safely improve stability. For example, adding more sails can increase heeling moment, particularly in strong winds, potentially compromising stability further. Implementing unregulated weights can lead to an imbalance and unsafe operating conditions. Removing the keel significantly decreases the vessel's ability to resist lateral forces, directly undermining stability. Thus, redistributing weight and using ballast is the most effective and reliable method to restore stability on board a vessel.