A horizontal electro-mechanical anchor windlass is equipped with two warping heads, two wildcats, two manual brake hand wheels, two clutch control levers, and a multipoint lever- operated, pedestal-mounted controller. What statement is true as it pertains to the operation of the manual brake hand wheels?

Correct Answer: Option C — The manual brake hand wheels control band brakes that are associated with the wildcats only.

Manual brake hand wheels on an anchor windlass operate the band brakes that grip the wildcat drum. These brakes are essential for controlling the speed of the anchor chain during deployment and for securing the anchor in the hawse pipe, preventing the wildcat from rotating when the clutch is engaged.