Canadian Yachting May 2020 - 21

a windlass is not intended to hold the boat while at anchor, to pull
the boat up to the anchor, or to free a stuck anchor. The boat is to
be propelled toward the anchor by shifting in and out of gear. Clear
signals of 'forward' (with direction), 'neutral' and 'reverse' are essential to leave an anchorage with grace and decorum.
If the anchorage is weedy, mud or clay, then the foredeck crew
will also be responsible for cleaning off the chain and anchor. This
may involve moving the boat slowly forward while the crew
dislodges the aforementioned 'clingons' and washes down the deck
and anchor locker. Cruisers who anchor regularly will seriously
consider adding a deck wash forward to the anchor locker.
Sometimes the anchor gets trapped on a log, rock or other
underwater obstruction. If you are in warm, clear water, you
may be able to dive down on the anchor and free it. If you
deployed an anchor buoy, it will be attached near the crown of
the anchor (Figure 10). Simply pulling on the anchor buoy line
in the opposite direction to the set of the anchor may allow you
to pull the anchor free.
If you do not use an anchor buoy, or the line is not strong
enough to dislodge the anchor, there are a few other options available to you. One is to take a heavy line, piece of chain or diving
weight belt, place it around the anchor rode and let it slide down
until it captures the anchor shank. Then by either repositioning
the boat or working from your dinghy, work the weighted loop
until it is at the crown of the anchor and then pull the anchor in
the opposite direction to how it is set. For a number of years,
I carried a SCUBA tank on board for just such situations.
Fortunately, I never had to use it.
Some anchors have a channel along the shank intended to
allow the rode to be re-located to the forward part (near the
crown) of the anchor. There is always a concern that the anchor
be 'tripped' if the wind or the current shifts 180-degrees. It is
important to secure the shackle to prevent this according to the
anchor manufacturer's instructions.
CONCLUSION
Anchoring is one-part art, one-part science and one-part experience. Every time you approach an anchorage, make sure you and
your crew are completely prepared, have a plan, understand who
is already in the anchorage and manoeuver in control. Assume you
will drag or get stuck and then prepare to handle whatever situation
arises. A great anchor down game to play is 'What if...?'
What if we drag? How far can we move before we get into
trouble with another boat? A lee shore?
What if the anchor drags in the night? Should we establish
an anchor watch? Should we reduce the circle on the anchor
alarm? Should we add a riding sail? A kellet?
And whatever you do, don't leave the boat until you know the
anchor is holding.
I know that is a lot, but it is worth it for safe and enjoyable
anchoring. *

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Canadian Yachting May 2020

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