Mediterranean Anchoring / Anchorages-European Coastguard

[JordanBoon]

I am inquiring about the quality of anchorages in the Mediterranean. I am sailing from South France to Marmaris and planning to have a relaxing sail with no time rush.

I have all pilots and mediterranean almanacs however i am looking for help on what is all means.

How many people have come unstuck from an anchor

Is it the Anchor or the chain that keeps you at "anchor" ?

What force would you feel comfortable anchoring at with 2 anchors one set at
3x depth another at 2x depth

Also small quiery regarding the coast guard in Europe, Please can someone give me an insight to their quality and reliability.

Jordan

 

[Tranona]

Pilots give you a guide to the "quality" of the anchorages. Impossible to answer your question in any detail as there are so many variables. Bottoms tend to be harder than around the UK and weed can be a problem. Because of the lack of tides and to aan extent lack of wind at night, anchoring for and aft with a line to shore is common. The new style anchors seem to be better at digging in and you will find a kedge useful. When you get past Greece mooring stern to a quay is common, using your own anchorr. Plenty of chain and an electric windlass makes it easier.

Again impossible to answer your second question except don't expect RNLI type services everywhere.

 

[vyv_cox]

What does 'coming unstuck from an anchor' mean? If you mean dragged then it's just about everybody because weed is so prolific. If you mean anchor come detached from the chain, then I have, which answers your next question. In winds of F2-3 we drifted backwards quickly on 20 metres of chain.

I would never anchor in the way you suggest. We have sat out 40+ knot winds on a single anchor for days on end. We do use a second anchor at 60 - 90 degrees from the bower to cut down yawing but their depth would be similar.

Coastguard services for emergencies seems good in most Med countries but there is no equivalent for notifying them of your intended voyage, as far as I know.

 

[noelex]

The Eastern Med has some wonderful anchorages.
To answer your specific questions.

How many people have come unstuck from an anchor

Dragging is unfortunately common. With good anchoring equipment and technique you can reduce this to a very rare occurance even in very strong winds.
I ancor about 300 Days a year and have not dragged for the last 3 years.

Is it the Anchor or the chain that keeps you at "anchor" ?

.
It’s the anchor, but to work properly it needs to has enough rode.

What force would you feel comfortable anchoring at with 2 anchors one set at
3x depth another at 2x depth

Two anchors often don’t hold much better than one. A 3:1 scope is too small for stronger wind and I would be uncomfortable with this in anything other than light to moderate winds.



Take it easy and try to gain experience anchoring in controlled steps