Question 2190 Deck General

The correct answer is B) the number of layers of wire on the drum. The holding capacity of a mooring winch brake is directly related to the number of layers of wire on the drum. As more layers of wire are added, the effective diameter of the drum increases, which reduces the brake's holding capacity. This is due to the decrease in the mechanical advantage of the brake as the wire is wound onto more layers on the drum. The other options are incorrect because they do not directly impact the holding capacity of the mooring winch brake. The mooring drum intake rate adjustment (A) and the settings of the windlass/winch control switch (C) and the manual intake valve (D) affect the operation and control of the winch, but do not change the fundamental holding capacity of the brake.