Final answer:
The first risk associated with overloading a boat is that it may become less stable, which can lead to capsizing. Safety limits, such as the maximum weight capacity for water taxis, are in place to prevent this. Understanding buoyancy and weight distribution is essential for maintaining boat stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first risk associated with overloading a boat, whether it be with too many people or too much cargo, is that the boat may become less stable. Stability is critical as it affects the boat's ability to remain upright in the water. If a boat becomes less stable due to overloading, its center of gravity shifts higher, increasing the chance of capsizing, especially if the water becomes rough or the boat makes sudden turns.
Considering the reference you provided where 20 men have a sum weight greater than 3,500 pounds, this is indeed a safety concern. This exceeds the safety limits for water taxis, risking the boat’s stability, and could potentially lead to it capsizing. Furthermore, as indicated in section 86, calculating the number of people that a log can support requires understanding the buoyant force, log density, and the requirements to keep a person afloat without active swimming.
The excerpt about the ten-foot dingey and the waves illustrates the dangers and instability a small overloaded boat could face on the open ocean, reinforcing the importance of adhering to weight limits to preserve stability. Lastly, the concept that a ship can carry a load nine times its weight without sinking is related to the maximum buoyant force, further highlighting the role of weight distribution and buoyancy in maintaining a vessel’s stability and avoiding risks.