Question 3937 Deck General

The correct answer is A) moving slowly astern over the ground. When anchoring a vessel, the best time to let go the anchor is when the vessel is moving slowly astern over the ground. This allows the anchor to dig into the seafloor and hold the vessel in place effectively. If the vessel is moving fast astern (B) or fast ahead (D), the anchor may not have enough time to properly set before the vessel's momentum pulls it along. Being dead in the water (C) is also not ideal, as the vessel may drift before the anchor can take hold.