Decide
Which sign shows that the anchor is dragging?
The lesson in plain words
- Keep watching
- Note your transits and your GPS position once the anchor is set.
- Many GPS units have an anchor alarm that sounds if you leave a circle.
- Check again after every change of wind or tide, and keep an eye on the forecast.
- Signs of dragging
- The transits drift out of line, the GPS track moves away, you feel the chain judder, or other boats suddenly seem closer.
- Do not wait to see if it settles.
- When it drags
- Start the engine. If there is room and time, let out more chain.
- If not, weigh anchor and anchor again in a better spot.
- If the wind now blows onto the shore or the swell is building, the anchorage is no longer safe: leave.
- Weighing anchor
- Motor slowly towards the anchor while the crew brings in the chain; do not use the windlass to drag the boat.
- When the chain is vertical, the anchor is a pique (up and down) and should break out.
- Bring it aboard, wash off mud and weed, and secure it before you speed up.
Key data
- Check
- Transits, GPS anchor alarm, forecast
- Dragging signs
- Transits out of line, track moving, chain judders
- If it drags
- More chain, re-anchor, or leave
- A pique
- Chain vertical: the anchor is about to break out
Key points
- Set an anchor alarm and recheck transits after each wind or tide change.
- Act at the first sign of dragging.
- If the wind turns onshore or swell builds, leave the anchorage.
- Motor up to the anchor; never drag the boat with the windlass.
Check what you have read
The anchor drags and the rocks are close astern. What do you do first?
True or false?
Decide each statement before you see the answer.
Pull the boat up to the anchor with the windlass.
Act at the first sign of dragging.
If the wind turns onshore or swell builds, leave the anchorage.
Once the anchor has held for an hour, there is no need to check it again.
Practice case & exam keys
Situation
You are anchored for lunch. The wind backs and freshens, and now blows towards the rocks astern of you. The GPS anchor alarm sounds and your transit is out of line. What do you do?
Show the answer
The anchor is dragging towards danger: act at once. Start the engine, put a crew member at the bow and weigh anchor, motoring towards the anchor so the chain comes up without strain. With the wind onto the rocks the bay is no longer a safe anchorage, so do not anchor again there. Move to shelter from the new wind direction.
Exam keys
- Check transits and the anchor alarm after every wind or tide change.
- Dragging: more chain, re-anchor or leave.
- Weigh by motoring up to the anchor; a pique = chain vertical.