Which of the following describes a normal loaded condition of the anchor where the flukes are down and the crown is on the bottom?

• A. Dragging
• B. Set
• C. Lying
• D. Holding

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how an anchor actually takes hold on the bottom. When the anchor’s flukes are down and the crown is on the bottom, the anchor has buried into the seabed and begun to resist the pull from the rode. This is called the anchor being in the set. In this condition, the flukes grip the bottom and provide holding power, so the vessel stays put under load.

If the anchor isn’t in set, you’ll see dragging—where the anchor slides along the bottom and doesn’t hold the vessel as you pull. If the anchor is simply lying on the bottom without burying, it isn’t providing reliable holding, even though the crown might be resting on the bottom. The term holding isn’t used to describe this specific level of engagement; the state described by flukes down and crown on bottom under load is the set.