You are the Master of a single-screw vessel. You are docking at a port which has no tugs available. You decide to drop the offshore anchor to help in docking. The amount of chain you should pay out is __________.

Correct Answer: Option C — 1 1/2 to 2 times the depth of the water

When using an anchor to assist in docking, paying out 1.5 to 2 times the depth of the water provides enough catenary to exert a controlled pivot force without the anchor fully burying itself, which would make it difficult to retrieve while maneuvering the vessel alongside.