Which technique is used to keep a vessel from drifting while anchoring?

• A. Anchoring
• B. Mooring
• C. Docking
• D. Towing

Answer: (A)

Holding a vessel in place in wind and current is achieved by anchoring. You drop an anchor to the seabed and pay out enough rope or chain (the scope) so the anchor can bite and hold. The longer the scope relative to depth, the better the holding power and resistance to dragging. After dropping, you may back down a bit to help the anchor set, allowing the flukes to dig in. Once set, the vessel should stay in roughly one spot even as wind or current tries to move it.

Mooring, in contrast, uses a fixed point such as a mooring buoy or underwater anchor with a line attached to the boat, which is a different method of keeping position. Docking means tying to a shore structure, and towing means pulling another vessel.