Given the same water depth and line tension, the catenary length of a 90 pound/foot mooring chain in comparison to the catenary length of a 19 pound/foot wire rope mooring line will be __________.

Correct Answer: Option D — shorter

Due to its much heavier weight per foot, heavy chain forms a steeper and more compact curve, resulting in a shorter catenary length than a lighter wire rope mooring line subjected to the exact same tension and water depth.