What is the difference between draft and freeboard?

• A. Draft is the depth of the hull below the waterline; freeboard is the distance from the waterline to the deck.
• B. Draft is the distance from the waterline to the deck; freeboard is the depth of the hull below the waterline.
• C. Freeboard is the vertical distance from the waterline to the top of the deck; draft is the distance from the waterline to the keel.
• D. Draft is the hull's bottom clearance under water; freeboard is the distance from water to deck.

Answer: (A)

Draft measures how much of the hull is underwater, from the waterline down to the keel. Freeboard is the vertical distance from the waterline up to the deck. This distinction matters because draft tells you the minimum depth of water needed for the vessel to sit without running aground, while freeboard tells you how much hull sits above the water and contributes to buoyancy and seaworthiness against waves. The standard way to express this is: draft = depth below the waterline, freeboard = distance from the waterline to the deck.