On the basis of Equiano's account, what measures did the crews of slave ships take to ensure maximum profits from their business of transporting human cargoes?

The crew of slave ships were heartless monsters who wanted to maximize their profits by any means necessary. For example, the crew would mercilessly whip the slaves that refused to eat food. The crew wanted the slaves to eat so that they would remain viable for harsh manual labor. There is some stupidity involved in whipping the slaves that refuse to eat because the whipping also physically destroyed the slaves. Moreover, crew members would impede the slaves’ attempts at committing die by chaining them together or by “rescuing” those who did manage to jump overboard. Slaves which were considered “active” were thrown into the lower deck so that they couldn’t even attempt to jump overboard. This would further maximize their profits off of the slave trade by keeping the amount of slaves delivered at a high rate.

b. native americans them

the answer is states.