I cant believe they didnt cut the chain and write it off to experience. I have lost anchors in the past and wouldnt dream of involving the RNLI I think they are there to save lives not save boatowners money for a new anchor.
Also if the rock weighed 100 lb and thje anchor probably less than half that couldnt they have heaved it up using a line back to a sheet winch or even used a halyard?
Failing that I would have left it hanging just in the water then gone astern all the way to Lymington and sorted it out there.
That would be what we call Christchurch Ledge. I hope they brought it back, we're quite fond of it! Actually I'd have thought the ledge would have come in at a bit more than 100 lb. After all it is about 2 miles by 1/2 mile and made of Ironstone. Maybe they just broke a bit off - vandals!
I wouldnt be too surprised to hear of someone calling out the RNLI to wash the mud off their anchor chain before it makes a mess all over the foredeck /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
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To avoid damaging the boat, they towed the yacht, anchor and rock back to moorings in Lymington, Hampshire.
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There you go - serious risk to anti-foul it was then. Why not just sail home with anchor trailing in the water, or rig a line to the tripping point on the heel of the anchor to pull it clear of the water & hull? When weighing anchor as a single hander I usually get the anchor clear of the ground, then return to the helm, get her under way and under control before going back to the foredeck to get the anchor home, catted & chain sorted. This can mean several hundred metres with the anchor & chain hanging deep in the water if it's a crowded anchorage. No problems, 100lb rock is a bloody nuisance, especially for lifting the gear, but not an emergency by any stretch of the imagination.
I still don't get how a tow back is different from sailing/ motoring home. I wonder if the RNLI put the rock & anchor on their aft deck & towed them back by the anchor chain (bet that would snatch a bit!)
Bruce anchors are the very devil for picking up 40 kg rocks. Bleeding hands persuaded me that it would be a good idea to have on board for this contingiency: (a) a pair of stout leather gloves (b) a club hammer and (c) a cold chisel.
Exactly. It's good sense to tell CG you are not under command -- same thing happened to us when we snagged a pot cable & the centreplate bolt parted.
The CG then decides what to do.
I don't think any yachtsman can "call the lifeboat" it's down to the CG.
As in my case, no lives were at risk here, but the lifeboat is a pretty reassuring sight even if its a conundrum, not an emergency.
I imagine the CG would not request a launch if there were more pressing needs elsewhere.
Chris
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Bruce anchors are the very devil for picking up 40 kg rocks. Bleeding hands persuaded me that it would be a good idea to have on board for this contingiency: (a)
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<snip>I don't think any yachtsman can "call the lifeboat" it's down to the CG.<snip>
[/ QUOTE ]Yes you can - on channel 0 /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity