What color is the next-to-last shot of anchor chain painted?

The next-to-last shot of anchor chain is painted yellow. This color coding serves an important practical purpose in marine operations, helping crews quickly identify the amount of chain that has been deployed or retrieved. The use of yellow for this specific shot acts as a visual cue, alerting personnel on deck to the impending proximity of the anchor to the seabed, which is critical for safe anchoring operations. This helps in preventing misunderstandings or mishandling of the anchor chain during deployment or retrieval, contributing to safer vessel handling.

Incorrect choices represent other standard colors used for coding different sections of anchor chain. For instance, red is commonly used for the last shot of chain, which indicates that the chain is nearing its limit, while blue and green are often used for other shots in the chain. Understanding this color coding system is essential for safe and efficient nautical operations.