What facilitates the digging of anchor flukes into the bottom?

Master the Navigation, Seamanship, and Shiphandling (NSS) – Officer of the Deck (OOD) Phase 2 Exam with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare comprehensively for your test!

Multiple Choice

What facilitates the digging of anchor flukes into the bottom?

The digging of the anchor flukes into the bottom is driven by the weight of the anchor chain combined with backing the ship. The heavy chain adds a downward pull, helping to keep the flukes pressed into the seabed as the anchor is set. If the vessel backs or drifts slightly, that backward motion encourages the flukes to bite and bury themselves more firmly. The other ideas—rope alone holding the ship, hull friction, or magnetic attraction—do not cause the flukes to dig or bed in.

The digging of the anchor flukes into the bottom is driven by the weight of the anchor chain combined with backing the ship. The heavy chain adds a downward pull, helping to keep the flukes pressed into the seabed as the anchor is set. If the vessel backs or drifts slightly, that backward motion encourages the flukes to bite and bury themselves more firmly. The other ideas—rope alone holding the ship, hull friction, or magnetic attraction—do not cause the flukes to dig or bed in.

More practice questions