475. The COASTAL DRILLER, in transit with winds expected to exceed 70 knots, must lower the legs to 60.5 feet below the hull in order to meet the requirements for leg strength and __________.

Lowering the legs of a jack-up unit like COASTAL DRILLER in high winds is required to ensure both leg strength and stability. Stability refers to the unit's ability to resist heeling or overturning, and lowering the legs improves this by lowering the center of gravity and altering the effects of wind and wave loads.