You have arrived at your anchorage location. You have put the engines astern prior to letting go the anchor. How will you know when the vessel has stopped making way?

Correct Answer: Option C — The backwash of the propeller reaches amidships

When backing down, the propeller wash moves forward along the hull. Observing the backwash reaching the amidships section provides a reliable visual indicator that the vessel's forward momentum has been neutralized and the ship is effectively dead in the water or beginning to gather slight sternway.