Question 4322 Deck General

The correct answer is C) increase the catenary. In a combination chain and wire rope mooring system, the chain is deployed at the anchor end of the line to increase the catenary, or the curve, of the mooring line. This helps to absorb the dynamic loads and reduce the strain on the mooring system, which can improve its fatigue life. The other answer choices are incorrect: A) increasing fatigue life is a result of the increased catenary, not the purpose; B) the chain helps prevent the anchor from fouling, but this is not the primary reason for its placement; and D) the chain does not eliminate the need for mooring buoys, which are used to mark the mooring location.