Question 1140 Deck Safety

The correct answer is B) aid in its recovery. The purpose of the tripping line on a sea anchor is to facilitate the recovery of the sea anchor. The tripping line is attached to the sea anchor and allows the crew to pull the sea anchor back onto the vessel after it has served its purpose of slowing the drift of the vessel during heavy weather conditions. This makes it easier to retrieve the sea anchor rather than having to physically pull it back on board. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) maintaining maximum resistance to broaching is the purpose of the sea anchor itself, not the tripping line; C) aiding in casting off is not the function of the tripping line; and D) directing the drift of the vessel is also the purpose of the sea anchor, not the tripping line.