During an anchor watch, which elements should you regularly check to ensure the anchor holds?

During an anchor watch, which elements should you regularly check to ensure the anchor holds?

• A. Battery status and engine oil.
• B. Position, scope, and anchor set.
• C. Wind speed and wave height.
• D. Crew sleep schedule.

Answer: (B)

When you’re on anchor watch, the main task is to confirm the boat isn’t dragging and staying securely in place. The three things to monitor are the vessel’s position, the amount of line out (scope) relative to the water depth, and whether the anchor is actually set. Track your position against a fixed reference (GPS position, bearings, or terrain marks) to spot any drift. Check the scope to ensure you’ve got enough line out for the conditions—adequate scope gives the anchor more holding power and helps prevent dragging. Verify the anchor is set by observing how the boat behaves if you test the engine a touch or observe if there’s any movement or changing bearing; if the boat starts to move, you may need to reset or increase scope. Battery status and engine oil relate to propulsion and maintenance, not the hold of the anchor. Wind speed and wave height matter for planning and may influence how much scope you should use, but they aren’t the direct checks to confirm the anchor is holding. Crew sleep schedule isn’t relevant to anchor security.

When you’re on anchor watch, the main task is to confirm the boat isn’t dragging and staying securely in place. The three things to monitor are the vessel’s position, the amount of line out (scope) relative to the water depth, and whether the anchor is actually set. Track your position against a fixed reference (GPS position, bearings, or terrain marks) to spot any drift. Check the scope to ensure you’ve got enough line out for the conditions—adequate scope gives the anchor more holding power and helps prevent dragging. Verify the anchor is set by observing how the boat behaves if you test the engine a touch or observe if there’s any movement or changing bearing; if the boat starts to move, you may need to reset or increase scope.

Battery status and engine oil relate to propulsion and maintenance, not the hold of the anchor. Wind speed and wave height matter for planning and may influence how much scope you should use, but they aren’t the direct checks to confirm the anchor is holding. Crew sleep schedule isn’t relevant to anchor security.