Coast Guard Exams
Question 3456Deck General70% to pass

The holding power of an anchor increases when the _______________.

AI Explanation
The correct answer is A) the amount of chain lying along the bottom increases. The holding power of an anchor increases when more of the anchor chain is lying along the bottom of the seafloor. This additional chain on the bottom helps to distribute the mooring load over a larger area, increasing the overall holding power of the anchor system. In contrast, reducing the catenary length (B), decreasing the chain on the bottom (C), or increasing the mooring line tension (D) would all decrease the holding power of the anchor.

Ready to test your knowledge?