Anchor – Part II

We have already discussed, in general and in a very simplified way, how to anchor safely. How to choose a place, how to approach the maneuver and how to control the position of a vessel? You can find the first part of an article here. And now just a few additional comments.

What is this chain for?

Contrary to popular belief, it is not an anchor itself retains the yacht in place. An important role here is played by the heavy steel chain, which lies at the bottom. The anchor itself protects this chain from movement. The chain will not open, and will not break, and not step “in the wild”, according to many people, it is considered safer. When, in case of extreme unfavorable conditions, it “anchors” and the yacht begins to drag it, but we have enough time to react, when we stop afraid of it and no discomfort can be observed.

What should I avoid?

  • Do not anchor at too great depths. Firstly, you can have a chain not long enough, and secondly, in a case the anchor cling to something at an approximate depth of 30 m, it can be very difficult to free it up. You may need to use the services of a diver, what is not always possible, but is often quite expensive, thirdly, a heavy chain burdens from such a depth, since the weight of the chain + anchor kit that hangs on the elevator is very large.
  • When during the lifting of an anchor you feel that you cut something, do not pull it by force. You can burn the anchor elevator, and it can be very expensive and it can create additional unnecessary problems. Try out other methods, pull it the other way, ask for help from a neighboring yacht, use the kit to release the anchor (if you have one on the yacht), etc.
  • Do not drop anchors in places where the rocky bottom is or in the place where the strikers should have been or have been, because at the bottom are concrete blocks that the anchor can catch to (often in such places it is prohibited to mooring).
  • Do not anchor where underwater cables pass. They are marked on maps.
  • Avoid places where the bottom falls very sharply, the anchor lying on such a steep underwater slope may not work as it should.
  • If you cannot free the anchor and decide to abandon it (the final decision when others fail), then mark the place where the anchor is immersed using a printer attached to the anchor chain on a long rope and pay attention to the GPS position. Perhaps it will be possible to save it.
Each sailor has his own opinion and experience about anchors; one could write a very thick book about them. We have raised just a few common issues here. Remember that this is one of the basic sailing skills, and you should not be afraid of it. We wish you calm and full of charm moments in the wildest places you can only reach.

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