Which of the following is NOT a common type of ship anchor?

• A. Stockless
• B. Stock
• C. Fluker
• D. Grapple

Answer: (D)

Anchors hold a vessel by digging into the seabed, and their shapes reflect how they achieve that bite in different bottom conditions. Stockless anchors are the standard modern design because they’re easy to handle and generally perform well in a range of bottoms. Stock anchors use a crossbar to help the flukes orient correctly and dig into the sediment. Fluke-type anchors, with their broad blades, are designed to bite deeply into softer bottoms like sand or mud, giving strong holding power in those conditions.

A grapple, on the other hand, is a gripping device with multiple tines intended to snag onto underwater objects, rocks, or wrecks. It’s specialized equipment used more for salvage, securing onto structures, or working in rocky or cluttered bottoms rather than for routine mooring. That specialization means it isn’t a common type of ship anchor for typical anchoring needs, making it the not-typical option here.