What daylight signal shows a vessel is at anchor?

• A. Two white flags displayed at the bow.
• B. Anchor ball displayed on the forward part of the vessel.
• C. A red lantern at the bow.
• D. A green starboard light illuminated at the bow.

Answer: (B)

During the day, the signal that a vessel is at anchor is an anchor ball displayed from the bow. This simple, dark circular shape is hoisted from the foremast to tell other vessels that you are anchored and not underway. The other options are not used as daylight signals for anchoring: a red lantern at the bow is a night-time navigation light, a green starboard light is also a navigational light used at night, and two white flags aren’t a standard daytime anchor signal.