Question 51 ONC05 - Master or Mate of LT 200 GRT

The Correct Answer is D **Why option D ("Veer out more chain on the port anchor.") is correct:** When an anchor begins to drag, the immediate and most effective first step is to increase the scope (the ratio of chain length to water depth plus freeboard). By veering out more chain on the existing anchor, you achieve several critical things: 1. **Lower Angle of Pull:** Increasing the scope lowers the angle at which the chain pulls on the anchor fluke. A lower angle means the horizontal component of the tension increases, pulling the fluke deeper into the seabed, thus maximizing holding power. 2. **Increased Weight and Catenary:** Adding more chain increases the weight of the catenary (the curve of the chain resting on the bottom). This extra weight acts as a shock absorber, helping to prevent sharp upward pulls caused by wind gusts or wave action, which are the main cause of dragging. 3. **Simplicity and Speed:** This is the quickest and simplest action to take immediately, as it only requires operating the windlass brake/clutch. It must be done before resorting to more complex maneuvers involving engines or dropping a second anchor. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **A) Sheer out to starboard using the rudder, then drop the starboard anchor with about four shots of chain.** While dropping a second anchor may become necessary, doing a significant maneuver (sheering out) and then dropping the second anchor is a complex maneuver that should not be the *first* action. You should first attempt to solve the problem using the existing gear (increasing scope) before maneuvering or deploying a second anchor. * **B) Put the engines slow ahead to help the anchor.** Using the engines to reduce the strain on the chain is a valid technique, but it is typically a secondary measure or a temporary fix. It expends fuel, requires constant monitoring and adjustment, and doesn't address the fundamental issue of insufficient scope or holding power. Increasing the scope (D) is a permanent, passive fix that improves the anchor's ability to hold independently. * **C) Drop the starboard anchor short with about one shot of chain.** Dropping a second anchor with such a short scope (only one shot) is highly ineffective. A very short scope results in a high angle of pull, virtually guaranteeing that the second anchor will not dig in properly and will either drag immediately or pile up on the first chain. If a second anchor is deployed, it needs sufficient scope to hold effectively.