| Understanding correct anchoring techniques will save | | | | may slip, you may get snagged or you may cause |
| you a great deal of time and heartache. Knowing how | | | | environmental damage to the sea floor. Remember to |
| and where to anchor is a vital component of safe | | | | never anchor on coral. |
| boating. Remember, safe boating saves lives, and it is | | | | Before releasing the anchor point the boat upwind and |
| the captain's responsibility to ensure the safety of his | | | | either reverse or let the wind push the boat |
| her crew. Below are some essential anchoring tips that | | | | backwards. As this is happening guide (don't throw) the |
| you should adhere to next time you are out on your | | | | anchor in to the water. Be careful not to get entangled |
| boat. | | | | up in the rope as this could cause serious injury. Once |
| Firstly, always have your anchor at the ready. | | | | the anchor is in the water be sure to keep your hands |
| Although it is primarily used for when you want to stop, | | | | clear and let the anchor sink to the bottom (don't let |
| sometimes you may need to use it in an emergency | | | | the rope pass through your hands). Once the |
| situation where you must stop. You should wash your | | | | adequate line length is out, be sure to fully secure the |
| anchor and rope down after each trip and ensure that | | | | rope. It is vital to fully secure the rope otherwise the |
| it is coiled in such a way that it will not become tangled | | | | rope may coil out completely and you will drift away |
| when released. Be sure to keep an eye on the | | | | from your chosen site (and you will have lost your |
| condition of the rope and replace it at the first sign of | | | | anchor). |
| damage. | | | | Once anchored up, be sure to find some landmarks to |
| Anchors can be made of either all chain, or mostly | | | | monitor your position so that you can observe if you |
| rope with a meter or two of chain at the end. The | | | | are drifting. Take two points that line up and keep |
| importance of the chain is that it gives the anchor | | | | checking to ensure they keep lining up, as if they do |
| weight which will help it get to the ocean floor. The | | | | not you are drifting. Never assume that just because |
| chain also helps guide the line of the anchor horizontal | | | | your anchor is down that you are not drifting as the |
| and acts as a shock absorber. | | | | anchor can drag along the sea floor if it is not firmly |
| The weather conditions will guide you as to how much | | | | imbedded in. If you do start to drift, try letting more line |
| line you need to release to successfully anchor. The | | | | out to increase the scope. |
| scope is a measure of how far across the line travels | | | | When retrieving the anchor, use your winch if fitted. If |
| for how far it goes down. For example, a scope of 3:1 | | | | not, slowly drive the boat forward whilst bringing the |
| indicated the anchor line is travelling 3M (9 foot) across | | | | line in so the boat does some of the work. Remember |
| for every 1M (3 foot) down in depth. A scope of 3:1 is | | | | if you are doing this to keep the line tight so it doesn't |
| the minimum required for safe anchoring. A scope of | | | | drift behind and get caught up in the motor. If the |
| 5:1 should be used in moderate conditions and if it is | | | | anchor gets snagged, let more line out and try |
| rough a minimum scope of 8:1 should be used. | | | | approaching the anchor from a different direction. You |
| When choosing a suitable site to anchor, you should | | | | can also slowly reverse the boat to try to un-snag the |
| first find out what conditions your anchor is designed | | | | anchor as well. |
| for. Some anchors are designed for sandy bottoms | | | | Safe anchoring is just one small part of safe boating. |
| whilst others are designed more for reef areas. As a | | | | Be sure to study, learn and practice safe boating |
| general rule a sand patch is always best to anchor on. | | | | practices and you are sure to have many years of |
| Try to stay away from grassy patches as the anchor | | | | successful and happy boating. |