Question 3977 Deck General

The correct answer is D) Under power, back the anchor out until it is near, but clear, of the bottom before letting it fall. This is the correct procedure for anchoring a small to medium size vessel in deep water. The key reasons are: 1) Backing the anchor out until it is near but clear of the bottom allows the anchor to fall freely and set properly once it reaches the bottom. This prevents the anchor from sinking into the bottom mud or getting caught on obstructions near the surface. 2) The other options, such as letting the anchor fall freely from the hawsepipe or applying the brake, can result in the anchor becoming tangled or not setting properly, which could be dangerous in deep water. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not provide the necessary clearance and controlled descent for the anchor to set properly in deep water conditions.