Anchors, One to watch

[Neeves]

I favour the idea that some kind soul liberated it and the loss wasn't noticed until they were on their way.

Interesting, correct me if I'm wrong - despite the reliability of modern aircraft Captains still do a walk around and check they still have 2 wings and 2 or 4 engines etc. It would seem sensible to apply the same rigour to a walk around on a yacht - check the liferaft is still there, mast etc etc and anchor.

One would think that anchors most at risk of walking would not be old Rocna but new Ultra. Decent mousing and red loctite (don't ask why I know) would discourage a run for freedom. Though you will never stop the one roaming the marinas with a large paid of bolt croppers!

Jonathan

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Interesting, correct me if I'm wrong - despite the reliability of modern aircraft Captains still do a walk around and check they still have 2 wings and 2 or 4 engines etc. It would seem sensible to apply the same rigour to a walk around on a yacht - check the liferaft is still there, mast etc etc and anchor.

One would think that anchors most at risk of walking would not be old Rocna but new Ultra. Decent mousing and red loctite (don't ask why I know) would discourage a run for freedom. Though you will never stop the one roaming the marinas with a large paid of bolt croppers!

Jonathan

Might explain the different shackle in the before and after pictures? .... and in the before picture, the anchor was also attached by a piece of rope ... something here doesn't add up?

IMO, the likelihood of the anchor failing and dropping off after it has been lifted and stowed (and it looks from the pictures that this also includes a seperate tie to the tripping line hole) is relatively low.

So what are the possibilities?

With a remote windlass control the owner could have put the anchor under strain by pulling it hard against the bow-roller damaging the shackle or anchor shank without noticing, but I would imagine it must already have been damaged to break on the bow and drop off. The windlass will not be capable of breaking chain, shackle or anchor unless it is already severely damaged - or the shackle pin is backed out.

Another possibility is that the anchor was broken on the bottom before recovery, with a remote windlass and a chain counter it would be possible to lift the chain with no anchor attached, or just a bit of the shank, which then dropped off.

Both the above scenarios would require the owner to forget to check and make fast the anchor after lifting it - but I don't know how fastidious the owner is.

Theft with or without bolt cutters or shackle key has to be an option that is just as likely as the above two scenarios.

I just think that a stowed, undamaged anchor falling off the bow roller mid-passage when it is attached as shown in the picture is highly unlikely - the forces required to break the anchor (collision for example) would also damage the boat.

... of course, if it was a long passage, it is also possible that a crew member removed the anchor and stowed it in a locker and the skipper then forgot, or wasn't told .... maybe he'll find it later.

 

[Refueler]

The picture of shackle attached to the anchor is a different shackle to the one left on the end of the chain ?? Hmmm

Yep ... ones a hex driver version seen on the chain ... while anchor has a standard pin shackle.

Interesting.

 

[doug748]

Yep ... ones a hex driver version seen on the chain ... while anchor has a standard pin shackle.

Interesting.

I believe that's because the photo of the anchor is not before it went missing but after. The missing anchor is said to be a Rocna.

 

[Refueler]

I believe that's because the photo of the anchor is not before it went missing but after. The missing anchor is said to be a Rocna.

Maybe ... but I still have a problem seeing how it could happen.