What is one of the three ways to know if your anchor is dragging?

When assessing whether your anchor is dragging, experiencing vibrations through the anchor line is a significant indicator. This sensation occurs when the anchor is not holding firm in the seabed, causing movement of the boat that transmits vibrations back through the anchor rode. If the anchor is pulling or dragging, these vibrations can be felt, alerting the crew to the need for reevaluation of the anchoring situation.

In contrast, the other options do not reliably indicate whether an anchor is dragging. Feeling sudden acceleration may be a result of other factors, such as sudden wind shifts or waves, rather than a direct indication of anchor performance. Normal GPS readings could show a consistent position if the boat is drifting slowly or moving due to current rather than due to anchor dragging. Maintaining a fixed compass heading can also mislead since it may not correlate with the actual position of the boat if the anchor is not holding properly. Thus, recognizing vibrations in the anchor line can be a more immediate and accurate way of determining anchor drag.