Anchor fouling in Swanage

[Nick_H]

I've only ever anchored off Swanage twice, and fouled the anchor both times. This time it was fouled on some disused mooring chain and the normal tricks to try and release it didn't work, so I had an unwanted early morning dip on Sunday. I also didn't have a mask on board, so had to use my 3 yr old's swimming goggles, which were trying to extract my eyeballs from their sockets by the time I reached the bottom.

The water was really clear, so I noticed other bits of knotted rope on the bottom which could also cause fouling. Is it a general problem in Swanage, perhaps because it's quite exposed so a number of moorings get broken over time, and the chain and rope is left there?

 

[Pinnacle]

Are you sure you were not entangled in all the seahorses?

 

[Hurricane]

I've only ever anchored off Swanage twice, and fouled the anchor both times. This time it was fouled on some disused mooring chain and the normal tricks to try and release it didn't work, so I had an unwanted early morning dip on Sunday. I also didn't have a mask on board, so had to use my 3 yr old's swimming goggles, which were trying to extract my eyeballs from their sockets by the time I reached the bottom.

The water was really clear, so I noticed other bits of knotted rope on the bottom which could also cause fouling. Is it a general problem in Swanage, perhaps because it's quite exposed so a number of moorings get broken over time, and the chain and rope is left there?

A couple or three years ago, we had exactly the same trouble in Studland.

 

[BartW]

many times I have wondered if boaters have no problem with that,
our anker was fouled a few times, but as I'am diver no problem...

some of you can free dive long enough to release the anker,

but some on here can't even swim,

how do they release it ?

 

[andy59]

Are you sure you were not entangled in all the seahorses?

Yeah probably empty hay nets

 

[jhr]

many times I have wondered if boaters have no problem with that,
our anker was fouled a few times, but as I'am diver no problem...

some of you can free dive long enough to release the anker,

but some on here can't even swim,

how do they release it ?

With a pair of chain cutters?

Fitting a trip line is sensible if you think there's any danger of getting fouled.

 

[Hurricane]

many times I have wondered if boaters have no problem with that,
our anker was fouled a few times, but as I'am diver no problem...

some of you can free dive long enough to release the anker,

but some on here can't even swim,

how do they release it ?

You haul in on the anchor winch for as much as it can take - then loop a line round the chain and fix it to the boat - lower the anchor and fiddle it off the chain - this way you dont have to swim down as far as the bottom but I agree you have to do a bit of free diving to clear it. Thats what we did.

 

[Hurricane]

With a pair of chain cutters?

Fitting a trip line is sensible if you think there's any danger of getting fouled.

Think about that statement carefully.

Whats the price of an anchor in comparason to the chain. Dont forget that chain is quite costly as well - half a chain isnt much good - so maybe ditch the lot and get a diver to recover the whole thing. You they are comparing a diver's cost vs an anchor and chain - your way, you will probably have to replace both.

Just a thought.

 

[Nick_H]

You haul in on the anchor winch for as much as it can take - then loop a line round the chain and fix it to the boat - lower the anchor and fiddle it off the chain - this way you dont have to swim down as far as the bottom but I agree you have to do a bit of free diving to clear it. Thats what we did.

Yep, that works if you're fouled on a length of chain and you can lift it off the seabed. We were fouled on a mess of chain and rope that were attached to a mooring block, so couldn't lift it to get a rope under.

I did consider cutting the chain as i'd only lose about 3 metres and I really didn't fancy the swim, but the Windy came with a stainless anchor and i'm too tight to lose that amount of value, so I had to get wet.

 

[jhr]

Think about that statement carefully.

Whats the price of an anchor in comparason to the chain. Dont forget that chain is quite costly as well - half a chain isnt much good - so maybe ditch the lot and get a diver to recover the whole thing. You they are comparing a diver's cost vs an anchor and chain - your way, you will probably have to replace both.

Just a thought.

We really need a tongue in cheek icon on here

Yes - I'd undo the anchor chain or warp at the bitter end, maybe leave it attached to a fender or pick up buoy, particularly if you have warp at the top end, and come back later, equipped for retrieval.

 

[geardownthreegreens]

5-6 weeks ago i dropped anchor at Swanage further up the beach away from the main town quay.As i was stepping down from the front of the deck, i noticed an amount of blue nylon rope hanging aroound the back of my boat. Further inspection showed at 20 ft of this stuff,a small amount of fishing line,1 small hook which found me and a small lead weight(which i kept )
I had to get into the water to remove all this as it was slowly wrapping itself around the sterndrive.A little choppy but with no overhanging swimplatform and a pair of goggles,made quite easy work of it, but it could have been a lot worse.

When it came time to retrive my anchor,i was in for yet another surprise. Pulling the rope up,i was thinking,this is getting bloody heavy for a sand bed,and as it got closer,i could see a rope running across it.I thought then,****e, i'm going to be cutting my anchor away but i wasn't going to give up. Swimbo passed me a knife and with a lot of huffing and puffing,i just managed to get the anchor to the surface but all i could do was cut the rope to the lobster pot line.Maybe i was wrong to do that,i dont know, but 2 experiences in 1 afternoon,i'd had enough.