Where should the anchor ball be displayed to signal an anchored vessel?

• A. Aft part of the vessel.
• B. On the masthead.
• C. Forward part of the vessel.
• D. Near the stern.

Answer: (C)

When a vessel is anchored, a day signal called an anchor ball is displayed at the bow to show others that the ship is not under way. Placing the ball in the forward part of the vessel ensures it is visible ahead and to the sides, so approaching traffic can see the signal clearly and recognize that the vessel is stationary. If the ball were placed higher up on the masthead or toward the stern, it could be obscured by the hull or rigging or misread as a signal from a different maneuver. At night, this daylight signal is supplemented by the standard anchor light, but the visible anchor ball is specifically a daytime indicator. Therefore, the anchored status is conveyed best by displaying the anchor ball at the forward part of the vessel.