Which action best accounts for depth when anchoring a small craft in sheltered water?

• A. Choose an appropriate anchor.
• B. Set scope according to depth.
• C. Ensure secure ground tackle.
• D. Check holding.

Answer: (B)

Depth determines how much rode you must let out to reach the bottom and to create the right pull angle on the anchor. Setting scope according to depth means choosing a length of line/chain that is a multiple of the water depth (common practice is about 5 to 7 times the depth in sheltered water). This ensures the anchor digs in properly and the pull is spread horizontally enough to resist wind and current, while also giving you swing room for the boat. Other steps like selecting the right anchor, securing the ground tackle, or checking holding are still important, but they don’t address the depth-related requirement as directly as adjusting the rode length does.