preventing ingress at the anchor hawsepipe

[MM5AHO]

I have a Lewmar Pro series windlass. It sits over a hole in the deck for the chain to pass through, under which is a pipe through the forepeak cabin into the chain locker.
In less clement weather, when shipping lots of green stuff over the bow, the water ingression is significant, especially on longer trips involving continuous sailing. During these periods there's not going to be any use of the windlass, and an open hole in the deck is just a hole!
Any ideas on how to block it in a way that doesn't disable the purpose of the hole, while preventing water ingression? I'd thought of just jamming a rag in there, but remember tying that once and it dislodged with the water pounding. There might be a nice easy solution to this problem that someone has devised?

 

[Topcat47]

An appropriately sized tapered bung with an eye underneath. Attach the end of the anchor chain to the eye on the bung with some codline and drop the bung into the hole. The weight of the chain will keep it in position. When you need to anchor, remove the bung and the chain will come with it. Simples TCHK?

 

[andygc]

There is an easy answer
http://www.pbo.co.uk/practical-projects/stop-water-getting-below-with-a-navel-pipe-bung-21159
It works, I've made one following the instructions in the article - although I had to make the mould round a turned wooden mandrel of the right size because no food pot was the right size for my smaller chain pipe.

And there is no need to disconnect your chain from your anchor.

 

[bikedaft]

i made one like the PBO one with plasticene as a bung at bottom end, and silicone sealant. would have worked better in warm weather (to get the silicone down better) didn't want to jiggle chain too much in case plasticene fell off

or a big dod of plasticene or blue tack...

 

[MM5AHO]

That sounds a great idea, I'll try that!