What method is used to support the weight of a ship?

The correct method to support the weight of a ship is hydrostatic displacement. This principle is based on Archimedes' principle, which states that a submerged object displaces a volume of water equal to its own weight. When a ship is afloat, it displaces an amount of water that balances its weight, creating a buoyant force equal to the weight of the ship. This displacement is crucial as it ensures the vessel remains afloat and stable in the water.

Ballasting involves adding weight to a ship to enhance its stability and control, but it does not directly address how weight is supported in terms of buoyancy. Trim adjustment relates to the longitudinal balance and orientation of the ship in the water and is more about managing how the ship sits in the water rather than the initial support of weight. Stability curves are graphical representations used to analyze the stability characteristics of a vessel and do not directly relate to how the weight of the ship is supported in the water.