Question 3917 Deck General

The correct answer is B) avoid crossing close ahead of the anchored ships. When transiting through an anchorage, a shipmaster should avoid crossing close ahead of anchored ships. This is because the sudden passage of a vessel close in front of an anchored ship can disrupt the anchor or cause other dangerous interactions. It's safer to pass astern of anchored vessels, giving them a wide berth, rather than cutting in front of them. The other options are incorrect - avoiding crossing close astern is not as critical, maintaining speed is not as important as the navigation, and the tide state does not dictate the preferred transit path through an anchorage.