Anchor retrieval rings. Do they work?

[Bertramdriver]

Talking to a sailor older than me, the conversation got around the problems associated with retrieving a snagged anchor. At the time I was distracted when he started talking about anchor rings so I didn't ask him to explain how they worked. So, anybody know?:

 

[Mistroma]

Same way as the bit of chain and shackle that I keep handy for anchor snags. Only had to use it once but pretty easy. Haul the warp or chain up tight so that you are over the anchor and fit the metal or chain loop around the anchor chain/warp. Attach some rope and lower the retrieval device to the seabed, leaving plenty of slack. Either release lots of scope so that you aren't hanging tightly to the anchor or drop the lot and buoy the end with a line. Motor away from the direction you laid the anchor until the retrieval line tightens and hopefully frees the anchor. Get everything back on board and that's it.

Conditions were benign on the only time I needed to use it and I only needed to drop 4-5m of chain and motor slowly ahead with strain coming on to the line with the chain loop. The anchor wasn't going to budge with a straight pull or motoring around with & without tension, but this worked first time. I can imagine needing to drop the anchor chain if conditions were a lot worse, but might be a case of marking it and leaving for another day by then.

 

[Kukri]

Me too. The method is spelled out in Eric Hiscock's "Cruising under Sail".


I always carry a couple of feet of heavy chain and a strong shackle that fits through the links. The method works extremely well with CQRs, badly with Danforth-type anchors, because the chain loop cannot get to the head of the anchor, and tolerably with most modern CQR-derived anchors.

Don't use nylon line on the chain loop - use Terylene/Dacron. You want to give the anchor a sharpish tug....

Cost - peanuts - stowage space needed - minimal. Can save you no end of trouble.