What is the purpose of an "anchor watch"?

The purpose of an "anchor watch" is to monitor the vessel's position and ensure it does not drift while anchored. This practice is crucial for the safety of both the vessel and its crew, as drifting could lead to running aground or collision with other vessels or obstacles. During an anchor watch, crew members typically take turns keeping a vigilant eye on the surroundings and using tools like GPS or radar to track the vessel’s position relative to its anchor point. This is especially important in areas with strong currents, changing tides, or poor weather conditions, where the risk of dragging anchor is higher.

While the other options touch on aspects related to anchoring or vessel operation, they do not encompass the primary responsibility of an anchor watch, which is to ensure the vessel remains secure in its anchored position. The lookout for other vessels is an important safety measure but is generally more relevant when the vessel is underway or in busy shipping lanes rather than during an anchor watch. Supervising the crew during anchor deployment and managing the anchor chain length are operational tasks, but they do not reflect the primary purpose of maintaining vigilance while at anchor.