How many fathoms are in a shot of anchor...

Question 1 of 2707066636ee728f7522a1c518079

How many fathoms are in a shot of anchor cable?

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Question 1 of 27070

Q

How many fathoms are in a shot of anchor cable?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Standard length of one shot of anchor chain in fathoms in U.S. practice • Relationship between fathoms (6 feet) and anchor chain markings • Typical number of shots used in shallow vs deep water anchoring

💭 Think About

• First recall from seamanship: what is the textbook definition of one shot of anchor cable? • Think about common deck practice: how do crew count shots when paying out chain, and what base length are they using? • Which of the options looks like a realistic base length that, when multiplied by several shots, gives practical scope lengths (e.g., 5–7 times the depth)?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be sure you know that 1 fathom = 6 feet before you reason further • Mentally convert each answer choice from fathoms to feet and ask which is the standard for one shot (used worldwide in manuals and exams) • Check which length would give reasonable total chain length if a vessel carried, say, 8–10 shots of chain (too short, too long, or practical?)