An "interesting" anchor retrieval

[asteven221]

Yesterday the first outing of our new to us yacht. We decided to anchor for the afternoon using our (also) new to us Manson Supreme. With numerous favourable comments lowering it to the seabed gave me the prospect a nice comfortable stress afternoon at anchor. We didn't budge, however........

....... It was a bit of a surprise when I retrieved the anchor and found it had scooped up a very large boulder, which was jammed between the roll over bar and the fluke. The only way to remove it was to lift the anchor up, turn it upside down to let the boulder fall off.

Not quite the start I was expecting from my "next generation anchor"!

 

[lpdsn]

The only way to remove it was to lift the anchor up, turn it upside down to let the boulder fall off.

I hope you gave the seahorses time to put their hard hats on.

 

[Neeves]

Many anchor, if not most, will retain a boulder, or gas cylinder, between fluke and shank, the boulder just has to be the right size. Normally 'that' size of boulder is not found far offshore, though gas cylinders might be, a they (boulder) are usually swept down during floods and don't get out into deep water. Coral presents this sort of problem quite often. I hate to mention it but convex anchors have a lower propensity, as they tend to push items aside, concave (being scoops) are better at collecting said items. Water logged tree trunks are another hazard, after heavy flooding.

I have a friend who caught an 'anchor sized' lump of coral in a Bruce - and needed a crowbar to get it out (he was skipper of an Oz Navy landing craft).

I'd have to say - you were most unlucky.

 

[vyv_cox]

My Rocna has done exactly the same, boulder between flukes and roll bar. Sorry no photo since the previous hosting service turned grumpy.

 

[Seajet]

Vyv,

if that's Photobucket I had a mail saying they'd learned the error of their ways and better than normal service resumed, people responsible for such a glaring PR disaster seen to, etc; personally I'd already gone elsewhere and am still deleting my stuff from there whenever I get a spare moment.

As for the boulder on anchor, not as good as digging in to nice thick mud, but any help welcome if skipping on hard sand I suppose.

 

[Neeves]

Vyv,

if that's Photobucket I had a mail saying they'd learned the error of their ways and better than normal service resumed, people responsible for such a glaring PR disaster seen to, etc; personally I'd already gone elsewhere and am still deleting my stuff from there whenever I get a spare moment.

As for the boulder on anchor, not as good as digging in to nice thick mud, but any help welcome if skipping on hard sand I suppose.

I believe Mantus claim to be the anchor of choice for hard sand - cannot comment on this as we don't have anywhere that I know of where any anchor has been defeated (because its hard sand).

But sharpening the toe is HM and US Navy recommendation - visions of many seamen with files sharpening toes of 10t anchors on large grey ships. ?

Jonathan

 

[vyv_cox]

Vyv,

if that's Photobucket I had a mail saying they'd learned the error of their ways and better than normal service resumed, people responsible for such a glaring PR disaster seen to, etc; personally I'd already gone elsewhere and am still deleting my stuff from there whenever I get a spare moment.

As for the boulder on anchor, not as good as digging in to nice thick mud, but any help welcome if skipping on hard sand I suppose.

That's interesting. I wonder if they have deleted all previous content? I had several albums with them with more than 100 pics. I transferred to Postimage but have not added a lot so far.

 

[vyv_cox]

Thanks to Seajet. My stuff all seems to be there.

 

[Neeves]

It appears this is a very unusual occurrence - if the lack of comment is any measure.

 

[Neil_Y]

Boulders and even an outboard motor engine with no leg once, probably around 75hp judging by the size and weight. The awkward one was a scoop as there was no tripping line attachment.

 

[James Marinero]

This year's haul in the BVI




And then there was the heavy chain I hooked in Marin, Martinique (no boat attached). The only solution was an angle grinder.

 

[Graham_Wright]

We anchored off Deshaies in daylight well clear of other boats. During the night, I felt a thud and discovered we had dragged a fair way. The chain seemed taut but I stayed in the cockpit for the rest of the night. In day light I had a look with mask and snorkel. The anchor had lodged against an otherwise disconnected larger concrete sinker. Luck I guess.

 

[Cheery]

This year's haul in the BVI

View attachment 71608
View attachment 71609

And then there was the heavy chain I hooked in Marin, Martinique (no boat attached). The only solution was an angle grinder.

I noticed that the top one was from Soper's Hole. My son was a chef at Scaramouche there until June 2016 and a few of his friends were still working in that area until the hurricanes arrived.

 

[michael_w]

I once picked up the carcass of an old telly, seems someone got rather annoyed with their team losing/politican talking nonsense etc.

 

[Neeves]

I once picked up the carcass of an old telly, seems someone got rather annoyed with their team losing/politican talking nonsense etc.

Imposible

Surely there would be many more instances if this were true

Jonathan

 

[dje67]

Should you choose to anchor off Catacol on Arran, you'll maybe unlucky enough to find this Bruce-shaped stone on the seabed. Needed a hammer to encourage it to part company.

 

[James Marinero]

I noticed that the top one was from Soper's Hole. My son was a chef at Scaramouche there until June 2016 and a few of his friends were still working in that area until the hurricanes arrived.

Yes, it's tragic to see the devastation, ruined lives and businesses. Pussers Bar is up and running again though, in Sopers Hole.
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...ot-anchor-retrieval/page2#w5LEtAxAovE87oLG.99