Which measurement indicates the vertical distance a vessel is above water?

The measurement that indicates the vertical distance a vessel is above water is known as freeboard. Freeboard is the space between the waterline and the upper deck or gunwale of the vessel, providing a measure of how much of the vessel sits above the water's surface. This is important for stability and safety, as it helps determine how well the vessel can handle waves and adverse weather conditions.

Understanding freeboard is crucial for Coxswains because it relates directly to the vessel's seaworthiness and helps assess how much water the vessel might take on in rough conditions. It also plays a role in regulations, as different vessels may have specific freeboard requirements.

Draft refers to the vertical distance from the waterline to the bottom of the hull (the keel), which is the opposite of freeboard, measuring how deep the vessel sits in the water. Beam is the width of the vessel, and length overall is the total length of the vessel from stem to stern. Both beam and length overall do not provide insights into a vessel's height above water.