The worst and funniest ways on how not to anchor!

[jimbaerselman]

Greek quay stuff. A typical day in the life of a flotilla skipper.

Chatting to the last boat to arrive at quayside cafe, their reason was given by the couple on board. "Being last boat in means no snarl-ups as long as you're first boat out, since your anchor's on top. And we like leaving early".

Watched departure next morning. Crew casts off stern warps, tidies them away. Helm engages gear to move out (!). Crew fends off neighbours, when clear, moves to windlass, starts hauling, chain leading slightly aft. Clear of other boats, helm raises revs, and about 3 to 4 lengths out, turns to exit harbour to stbd.

Pause.

Previous starboard neighbour boat's bow moves to the right, next boat too.

Departing boat doing 2 - 3kts. Helm spins wheel to port, shouts something about "?? steering ??!". Anchor chain, now taut, spins boat to stbd to point at boats on quay. Helm takes engine out of gear

Boat comes to rest, bows firmly stuffed between boats on quay, about six along from previous berth.

Appalled, helm disengages brain, and engages reverse. Black smoke. Engine stops.

Luckily, no wind. Lot's of conflicting advice flying around in several languages though. Lines attached to offended boats.

I get my SCUBA gear out . . . again.

Rule number one on flotilla departure briefings - pull yourself out by anchor, and never engage gear until you can see the anchor's clear.

 

[Concerto]

Many years ago my father purchased a new fangled Bruce anchor. We left our mooring at Upnor on the Medway in the late evening catching the full tide down to anchor at Queenborough, ready to catch the early tide on our way to Holland. The Bruce went down and seemed to be holding well. After a meal, we retired for a kip with the alarm set just before high water. A few hours later as it was just getting light, we had a knock on the hull and "I think you have dragged". Well we were not in the position we had anchored in, but about ¼ mile away.

Went to lift the anchor to reset, suddenly the chain became very heavy. Too heavy to pull any more up. My father said he would use the engine to break the anchor out, only to find we could motor in any direction. We then started to lift the chain by using a halyard on a winch, even this was hard work.

Eventually the cause of out problem became apparent, the bruce had locked itself on to a RSJ that was probably at least 15 feet long. No matter what we did, we could not get it to drop. We motored around, thumped, pulled it, hammered it, all it seemed to no avail. So what do you do? We were on the point of discarding the anchor when suddenly it released itself and the RSJ dropped below the surface.

This had taken about 2 hours, so we ended up leaving a couple of hours earlier than planned. We think the RSJ must have dropped off one of the ships that passed by carrying scrap metal. Just hope no one else managed to find it again.

 

[explores]

I read on here i think of a couple in Australia radioing back from there hired boat that they needed another anchor.What about the one on board they were asked. Oh we used that one last night was the reply.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Probably one of the unconsidered downsides of not owning your own boat - I have on two occasions rowed slowly and laboriously out to the wrong boat. On one occasion it took me three tries to get the right boat (admittedly alcohol may have been involved that time).

 

[Leighb]

My amusing how not to anchor experience was some years ago at Erwarton Ness on the Stour in Suffolk.

We had anchored for lunch as had a number of other yachts just up river of the beacon. It was shortly before HW. A classic yacht of about 30 ft came and anchored about level with us, but further out in the channel. Anchoring consisted of one chap dropping the anchor and a moderate amount of chain overboard and disappearing down below. The tide turned about 30 mins later and we realised that they were starting to drag. We hailed but I don't think they could hear, however a bit later one man appeared, looked around, went forward veered some more chain and went back down below, there was no attempt to check transits.

Needless to say we watched the yacht proceed slowly and steadily down stream and across the channel - the wind was Northish - until eventually it seemed to come to a halt on the far side. Either the anchor had finally set in shallower water or got fast on something.

I have always wondered what they thought when they came back on deck after lunch.

 

[[70521]]

So if you can help by suggesting some of the funnier ways NOT to anchor so I can put them in a blog or list I would appreciate it greatly.

1. Being told the depth was 4 meters, working out the correct length of chain then upsetting the skipper because it would not hold. On coming back to the cockpit the depth was 8 meters - re-measured the chain set first time.
2. Taking an ex racer out who had never set an anchor. Talking over what he needed to do arrived at a depth of 5 meters and let him sort out the anchor. Wondered why it was taking so long to set, but set it did. On arriving at the bow all but one of 120 meters of chain and rope had been let out.

 

[tudorsailor]

I've only done it once, but it was this summer (so after 30+ years of sailing). Anchored perfectly in a small fjord, hoisted the black anchor ball, attached the snubber, dug in the anchor under engine etc. All done in silence and calm, text book style. Only after an hour or so did one of my boys say "Dad, are we going to drop the sails? ...." Funny thing was that the boat actually lay rather quieter than normal. Red face anyway.

I done this on a mooring buoy, where tied on nicely and then noticed still had the main out

TS

 

[Robby]

Anchor as part of emergency equipment.

I lent a large Danforth, length of chain and warp to a narrow boat owner who was venturing out into tidal water and had been given a list of mandatory emergency equipment.
He came round to collect it and we carefully lifted the anchor into his car boot, handed the attached chain in followed by the attached coil of warp.
After his tidal trip, he brought the gear back in some sacks. I told him he needn't have bothered unshackling it all but he explained that it stowed in his boat easier that way!

 

[LittleSister]

I like the Maurice Griffiths story (from Magic of the Swatchways?):

Him and a mate in a smallish gaffer, 1920s, winter. Brisk sail up (IIRC) the Orwell to Pin Mill, tide has started against them. Just as they arrive at the anchorage it starts snowing. Hurriedly drop the anchor and plenty of chain over the bow, get the sails quickly stowed, and dive below out of the weather. Primus on, hearty meal prepared and eaten, light their pipes and settle back to relax.

Notice they can see, through a porthole, a light on a boat moving up river. Dawns on them this is strange, as in them days if a boat had an engine you'd hear it for miles, and they couldn't. Dashed up on deck. They're miles downstream of Pin Mill, having somehow passed through the anchorages and moorings unscathed. Anchor found caught on the bobstay, chain dangling in the water!

 

[Melleman]

http://rollinwithcarro.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/one-yacht-asked/

Things you hear on VHF

One yacht asked for a new anchor and chain to be sent out to them.

“What happened to the one you had?”

“Oh, we used that one yesterday”

” You are supposed to pull it back aboard, not just let it go”

“Well you never told us that!”

 

[JumbleDuck]

Probably one of the unconsidered downsides of not owning your own boat - I have on two occasions rowed slowly and laboriously out to the wrong boat. On one occasion it took me three tries to get the right boat (admittedly alcohol may have been involved that time).

I had many childhood holidays in Port Bannatyne, where the CCC Tobermory Race started. For one night (Friday night of the Glasgow Fair Weekend, iirc) the usual 30 or so boats based there were augmented by another hundred, which always gave rise to entertaining antics when the pubs closed. At fist we would take a walk along the front at midnight to hear it, but later we had a boat we could sleep in, and it was even more rewarding there.

The spooky thing was that by 7am the bay was back to normal, as if it had all never happened.

 

[FistralG]

More than one anchoring incident but he most amusing was when I was a young man and on holiday with my then g/f in the Greek island of Poros.

I thought it would be a good idea to rent a small boat to explore the outer reaches of the island and impress my g/f at the same time.

The boat was a small dory with a bimini and an outboard, which was fine.

We set off from the sheltered western side of the island and all was well.

As we left the lee of the island and rounded the southern point, the seas started to get a bit lumpy which unnerved my passenger but we were in no danger.

Having navigated 180 degrees of the island we found a secluded bay, with a sandy beach and stopped off for a picnic lunch and a siesta by running the dinghy up onto the beach.

After a while and suitably "refreshed" we continued our circumnavigation.

We then found another quiet cove with sheer cliffs and crystal clear waters on the sheltered side of the island.

No beach, so decided to anchor in about 15 feet.

I made sure the anchor was securely tied to the warp and threw it in.

I checked he anchor had set on the rock and sand sea bed and settled down for relaxing few minutes.

I noticed that we were drifting slightly from the shore but there was little wind and no tide to speak of so
I wasn't concerned.

Then I noticed the rode had drawn taught and the bitter end was gently sliding out of the ring on the boat and before I could reach it had slipped gently over the bow and disappeared into the depths!

No real harm done, except to my pride, and returned the boat to the rental company to confess the loss.

The owner seemed unconcerned but readily agreed to my suggestion to lend me the boat and snorkel gear the next evening, to return to the cove in an attempt to salvage the lost anchor.

This time I checked the warp was securely attached to anchor AND boat before deploying.

Then using the anchor rode as a guide, dived down to retrieve the original anchor, which was a little tougher than I imagined having never tried to ascend from 15 to 20 feet with an additional 3-4 Kgs of galvanised iron and no fins!

The salvage was successfully completed and we enjoyed a lovely evenings cruise along he coast, back to the rental company.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

When about to anchor, don't leave the 'spanner' in the Lewmar gypsy adjuster and then accidentally step on the 'up' button, thus jamming the spanner in its hole and against the deck.

A devil to get the spanner unjammed from the deck and gypsy (luckily in the anchor locker) an no scratches on deck proper

I've now done it a couple of times and luckily I removed the spanner the last time in the dark, after a very long time tapping firmly against the spanner.

S.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Don't do as one Sunsail skipper did that I witnessed years ago in Cold Water Bay near the Bay of Fethiye, Turkey.

He motored in quietly and was greeted politely by the lad working for the restaurant above.

In my words but as close to those spoken as near as I recall.....

"May I assist you to anchor sir it is very difficult right here."
"No clear off I'm not having you hold your hand out for a tip and I don't want to eat at your restaurant".

The Sunsail skipper tried and tried again, I estimate for around 20-30 minutes and eventually asked the lad for help. The lad acknowledged with a

shrug and motored off slowly in the opposite direction. Point made?

S.

 

[OldBawley]

I overheard this VHF conversation between two rental yachts in the Göcek area.

Lady A “ Sorry Margaret, we wont be able to attend to the bay barbecue this evening, Our anchor does not work, we return to base”

Margaret responded, saying what a pity, blabla bla bla.

Then the Dutch manager of the flotilla who had overheard the conversation asked what was wrong.

Lady A “ When I push the button the anchor winch makes a lot of noise but nothing happens. “

Flotilla leader then explained she had to tighten the nut. She did not understand, so he explained very polite to turn the red thing on the right side of the winch.

Some minutes later she was back, calling Margaret “ Well, OK, the anchor winch works now, but we are heading back to base ( Göcek ) anyway because we did not pay for this. If you push the anchor button, you should be anchored and that is final. “

 

[SamanthaTabs]

Galicia several years ago, I dropped the anchor and all was well. Wind picked up, strong gusts and there we were congratulating ourselves as almost all the other boats were dragging all over the place except for us. Praise be to the Manson (had to name the anchor here you understand..).
Recovering said anchor was another story, wouldn't budge at all. I'd managed to anchor directly in the eye of a 3 inch spliced rope firmly attached to a concrete block!

 

[Stemar]

We'd had Jissel, our first boat, for a couple of months, and we were off for the weekend, our 3rd or 4th trip. Routine checks, start engine, look round, "Let go the mooring!" Open the throttle and head away.

Putputputput put put put put put Silence.

There's a strong tide and no wind, and we're surrounded by moored boats, so drop the anchor in a hurry. Fortunately, it sets immediately, so I change the fuel filter and the engine bursts, if that's the right word for a very tired MD1, into life.

Up anchor and off we go. Err, no. That anchor ain't going nowhere. Tried all the tricks - go from a different angle, loop of chain down the rode, etc. No chance. I tried to dive down, but while I'm a good swimmer, I float too well to be a good diver so, while I could touch the anchor, I couldn't unhook it from the trot chain before I ran out of puff.

'kin' thing's still down there.

 

[DJE]

One member of our club who was particularly keen to win the race series a few years ago refused to retire from a windless up-tide passage race to Bembridge. He drifted about for hours until the tide changed and eventually carried him to the finish, but he couldn't get into the harbour by then so he anchored outside and dinghied ashore. We met him on the beach just as we were coming back from the pub. He then dashed around trying to find some dinner for his crew as closing time approached and eventually dinghied back to the boat after a very long day. Before going to bed he decided to let out a few more metres of chain, and then discovered that the end wasn't fixed to the boat. Start engine - wake crew - and a forced night passage back to his mooring in Southampton. He won the trophy but he never got the anchor back.

 

[RupertW]

My daftest one was the first time I'd chartered in the Caribbean - in a long shallow bay on the sheltered side with nobody else anchored when we arrived. Perhaps a mile of 3-8m depth so perfect everywhere I thought.

Anchored with approx 5 times depth (why are charter boat anchor chains never marked?), reversed and dug in. Heard that it can blow overnight so then let out a load more chain. New boat comes in and chooses to anchor just behind us. These days I would up anchor and move to somewhere else in the huge stretch.

Went out for a meal that night - blew up a squall during pudding so headed back to find our stern being fended off from the bows of the boat behind with them shouting that we were dragging which I believed. Cue an hour of trying to reanchor a few hundred yards upwind to two anchors, laying the second one via dinghy and oars. Wish I had just pulled in a few meters of chain from the original position and gone to sleep.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

anchored quietly off a small island in the Thames Estuary.... a quiet night, and off to bed at a sensible time.... about 3:00am, awoken by a crash... shot on deck to find another boat had dragged into us....

Unfortunately, the other owner had also shot on deck to see what was happening... but had neglected to wear any nightwear.... rather a shock to look up and see a big AWB alongside and a hairy bare backside bent over the pullpit hauling in chain....

I will spare blushes, by not naming the individual, as it was a fellow forumite!