Question 3488 Deck General

The correct answer is A) longer. The catenary length of a wire rope mooring line will be longer than the catenary length of a mooring chain of the same water depth and line tension. This is because wire rope has a lower weight per unit length (19 lb/ft) compared to the heavier mooring chain (90 lb/ft). The lower weight of the wire rope allows it to form a longer catenary curve under the same water depth and line tension. The other options are incorrect because: B) the catenary length can be determined based on the weight per unit length, C) the wire rope will have a longer catenary length, and D) the catenary lengths will not be identical due to the difference in weight per unit length.