Freeing crossed anchor chains

[tedgorton]

I am about to cruise for 3 weeks in the Ionian, and was rehearsing the drill for retrieving the anchor when a late arrival has laid his chain across mine. This causes endless headaches and I have never got through a week without it.

I have sometimes been able to put a line around the other boat's chain when pulled up out of the water, securing it then releasing my chain a bit to separate them. This sometimes helps but not always, especially if the latecomer has crossed my line relatively close in.

My question is, especially in the latter case, now the chains are separate but if I try to winch in my chain I will be back to square one. Do I (try to) get the other boat to give me slack on their line, so I can winch in? does anyone have a step-by-step procedure for getting out of such an everyday pickle?

 

[little_roundtop]

I am about to cruise for 3 weeks in the Ionian, and was rehearsing the drill for retrieving the anchor when a late arrival has laid his chain across mine. This causes endless headaches and I have never got through a week without it.

I have sometimes been able to put a line around the other boat's chain when pulled up out of the water, securing it then releasing my chain a bit to separate them. This sometimes helps but not always, especially if the latecomer has crossed my line relatively close in.

My question is, especially in the latter case, now the chains are separate but if I try to winch in my chain I will be back to square one. Do I (try to) get the other boat to give me slack on their line, so I can winch in? does anyone have a step-by-step procedure for getting out of such an everyday pickle?

The easiest way is to let the other boat leave first. It's generally best if boats can leave in the opposite order in which they arrived.

But if the chains are crossed some distance out and you have to leave first then get them to pay out their chain as you winch yours in. That way you can usually recover your anchor without pulling theirs out. It's especially important for them to pay out chain if you bring their chain to the surface and use the secure and release method.

If the chains are crossed close in then the safest method is to ask them to release their stern lines and motor out of the way whilst you recover your anchor. They can then motor back into their berth and re-attach their lines.

It's important to stay calm and polite when crossed-chains happen, once the shouting match starts you might as well stay put and wait for them to leave.

 

[tedgorton]

Thanks, that is very clear and helpful. I have only once been trapped by the line of a totaly unhelpful and disinterested crew, and in that case a friendlier neighbour came out to help. I should have mentioned I sail (virtually) solo as my wife is not a sailor, so I don't like to leave the boat unless I really have to. so true about the ungainly and unseamanlike shouting-match, with decibels in inverse proportion to the shouter's skill and experience....

 

[vyv_cox]

One of these hooks http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk/item/32/coastline-trip-hook is the total answer. Makes recovery from crossed anchors a doddle without the need for anyone to release their rode. I have used mine to release from a very heavy fishing boat mooring chain, would have been impossible any other way, short of a diver.

 

[KellysEye]

>But if the chains are crossed some distance out and you have to leave first then get them to pay out their chain as you winch yours in. That way you can usually recover your anchor without pulling theirs out. It's especially important for them to pay out chain if you bring their chain to the surface and use the secure and release method.

Very good advice.

 

[jordanbasset]

>But if the chains are crossed some distance out and you have to leave first then get them to pay out their chain as you winch yours in. That way you can usually recover your anchor without pulling theirs out. It's especially important for them to pay out chain if you bring their chain to the surface and use the secure and release method.

Very good advice.

Yes agree, but sometimes difficult to get people to do it, especially the less experienced, but we all have to learn. If I think some one has crossed my chain I try and explain before I go out what they can do to help. Also useful for the boat paying out chain to motor forward, as they are tied to the quay it wont go anywhere and will prevent it hitting the quay when they let the chain out.