Question 27 1AE01 - First Assistant Engineer

The Correct Answer is A ### 2. Why Option A is Correct Option A accurately describes the standard operating capabilities of a conventional horizontal electro-hydraulic or electro-mechanical anchor windlass used on ships: * **Raising/Lowering under Power:** When the wildcat (the chain wheel) clutch is engaged, the wildcat is mechanically connected to the windlass motor (either hydraulic or electric). This allows the operator to use the windlass motor to actively pull the chain up (raise the anchor) or pay the chain out in a controlled manner (lower the anchor). Modern windlasses are designed for powered hoisting (raising) and powered rendering/lowering. * **Lowering by Gravity (Dropping Anchor):** When the windlass is used to drop the anchor quickly (or anchor in deeper water), the operator disengages the wildcat clutch. This frees the wildcat from the motor drive. The weight of the anchor and chain then pulls the chain out by gravity. The speed and amount of chain paid out are precisely controlled using the **wildcat manual brake**. ### 3. Why Other Options are Incorrect **B) The anchor can only be raised (and not lowered) under power with the windlass by engaging the wildcat clutch...** This is incorrect because anchor windlasses are designed to lower the anchor under power as well as raise it. This controlled lowering is crucial for certain mooring operations and prevents excessive speed/strain when dropping the anchor. **C) The anchor can be either raised or lowered under power with the windlass by disengaging the wildcat clutch...** This is fundamentally incorrect. The clutch must be **engaged** to connect the wildcat to the motor drive, thus allowing the windlass to apply power to the chain for raising or controlled lowering. If the clutch is disengaged, the wildcat is free to spin (controlled only by the brake), meaning the motor cannot apply power. Furthermore, the second part of the option is wrong: lowering by gravity requires the clutch to be **disengaged**, not engaged, so that the motor is not pulled along by the chain. **D) The anchor can only be raised (and not lowered) under power with the windlass by disengaging the wildcat clutch...** This is incorrect for two reasons: 1. The clutch must be **engaged** for powered operation (raising or lowering). 2. Windlasses can lower the anchor under power, not just raise it.