What statement is true concerning the plating meeting at the gunwales of a ship?

Correct Answer: Option B — The strakes of side plating nearest to the deck are termed "sheerstrakes" and the deck plating nearest to the side are termed "stringer plates". The sheerstrakes and stringer plates meet at the gunwales.

The sheerstrake is the uppermost strake of the side shell plating, while the stringer plate is the outermost strake of the deck plating. These two critical structural components meet at the gunwale, forming a robust connection that contributes significantly to the vessel's longitudinal strength.