What is the primary purpose of a hand brake in an anchoring system?

The primary purpose of a hand brake in an anchoring system is to prevent the anchor from falling. The hand brake functions to control the release and tension of the anchor line, which is crucial when deploying or retrieving the anchor. By applying the hand brake, a user can hold the anchor in place at the desired depth and avoid it dropping too quickly, potentially leading to uncontrolled deployment or snagging on underwater obstacles.

While storing anchor line, raising the anchor, and securing the capstan are all important functions in anchoring operations, they do not represent the primary role of the hand brake itself. The hand brake is specifically designed to offer control and stability of the anchor line, ensuring that the anchor remains secure when necessary during the process.