anchor vocaublary

Anchor

A heavy object attached to a vessel by a rode and cast overboard to hold the vessel in position.

Anchor Rode

The entire assembly connecting the anchor to the vessel, typically consisting of chain, line, or a combination.

Anchor Chain

The heavy metal chain portion of the rode, used for strength, weight, and abrasion resistance.

Anchor Line

The synthetic rope portion of the rode.

Anchor

A foundational component of a vessel's ground tackle, designed to embed itself into the seabed, providing resistance against forces such as wind, current, and waves, thereby holding the vessel's position.

Anchor Rode

The critical connective assembly between the anchor and the vessel, comprising all chain, all rope (line), or a hybrid combination, calibrated to transmit the anchor's holding power to the vessel while accommodating dynamic loads.

Anchor Chain

The metallic, high-tensile strength link component of the rode, primarily employed for its mass, abrasion resistance, and capacity to create a catenary curve, crucial for optimal anchor setting and shock absorption.

Anchor Line

The synthetic fiber rope segment of the rode, selected for its elasticity, strength-to-weight ratio, and ease of handling, often used in conjunction with chain for depth adaptability and cost efficiency.

Shackle

A robust, U-shaped connecting link with a removable pin closure, typically forged from high-strength galvanized or stainless steel, essential for secure, load-bearing connections within the anchor rode assembly.

Swivel

A specialized fitting integrated into the anchor rode, featuring articulating components that permit independent rotation, thereby mitigating chain or line twisting during deployment, retrieval, or vessel swing, preventing kinking and potential rode failure.

Windlass

A powered vertical or horizontal capstan-type winch, hydraulically or electrically driven, specifically engineered for the controlled deployment and retrieval of the anchor rode, equipped with separate or combined wildcat and gypsy functions.

Wildcat

A precisely engineered, sprocket-like component of a windlass, featuring specifically contoured pockets designed to engage and securely grip the links of an anchor chain, ensuring efficient and non-slip handling.

Gypsy (or Gipsy)

The drum or capstan component of a windlass or separate capstan, designed with a tapered, ribbed surface to effectively grip and manage the synthetic anchor line (rope) during hauling or paying out operations.

Anchor Locker

A purpose-built, often self-draining compartment, typically positioned forward in the bow (forepeak), providing secure and efficient storage for the entire anchor rode assembly, protecting it from elements and clutter.

Bow Roller

A robust, low-friction roller mechanism mounted on the bow of a vessel, designed to guide the anchor rode smoothly during deployment and retrieval, and to provide a secure, chafe-free resting position for the anchor in its stowed configuration.

Hawse Pipe

A structurally reinforced passage or conduit fabricated into the hull or deck, through which the anchor rode is led from the anchor locker to the bow fitting or directly overboard, protecting the hull from chafe.

Snubber / Anchor Snubber

A critical length of elastic line, often equipped with a chain hook (chain grabber), deployed between a strong point on the hull and the anchor chain, serving to absorb shock loads, reduce strain on the windlass, and prevent chain chafe at the bow roller.

Scope

The fundamental ratio, expressed as a numerical value, of the deployed length of the anchor rode to the effective vertical depth (from bow roller to seabed), crucial for establishing secure anchor holding, typically recommending ratios from 5:1 to 10:1 depending on conditions and rode type. Scope = \frac{Length\ of\ Rode}{Depth\ from\ Bow\ to\ Seabed}

Holding Power

The quantitative measure of an anchor's resistance to horizontal displacement through the seabed, directly influenced by anchor design, seabed composition, rode scope, and applied environmental forces (wind, current).

Dragging Anchor

A critical condition manifesting when the anchor's holding power is insufficient to counteract the forces acting upon the vessel, resulting in the anchor being pulled across the seabed, indicating potential peril if not promptly addressed.

Swing Circle

The theoretical maximum circular area defined by the anchored vessel's potential movement, assuming a fixed anchor point and determined by the sum of the vessel's overall length and the deployed length of the anchor rode.

Anchoring

The precise maritime procedure of deploying a ground tackle system to secure a vessel's position relative to the seabed, integrating considerations of current, wind, depth, seabed type, and adjacent vessel proximity.

Anchor Watch

A continuous navigational duty undertaken by a crew member or an automated system, involving diligent monitoring of the vessel's position, anchor alarm status, and environmental conditions to detect any anchor dragging or other hazards.

Set the Anchor

The deliberate act of ensuring the anchor's flukes or blades are firmly embedded and fully engaged with the seabed, typically confirmed by applying reverse thrust to the vessel to load the rode progressively until firm resistance is met.

Weigh Anchor

The operational maneuver of retrieving the anchor from the seabed, typically involving a systematic haul-in of the rode using a windlass, often requiring specific vessel maneuvering to break the anchor free from its hold.

Foul Anchor

A problematic condition where the anchor or its rode is entangled with an obstruction (e.g., another anchor, a cable, a rock formation) or has itself twisted into a non-functional configuration, significantly complicating retrieval.

Clear Anchor

The ideal state of an anchor upon retrieval or prior to deployment, where it is free from any entanglements, twists, or seabed debris, ensuring optimal functionality and ease of handling.

Ground Tackle

The comprehensive array of equipment and fittings essential for anchoring a vessel, encompassing the primary anchor(s), rode (chain, line, or hybrid), connection hardware, storage systems, and deployment/retrieval machinery.

Depth Sounder

An electronic hydroacoustic instrument utilizing sonar technology to accurately measure and display the vertical distance from the vessel's transducer to the seabed, critical for safe navigation and anchoring.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

A satellite-based radionavigation system providing highly accurate data on a vessel's latitude, longitude, speed over ground, and course over ground, indispensable for precise anchoring and drift monitoring.

Anchor Alarm

A sophisticated electronic system, often integrated with a GPS plotter, which establishes a configurable geofence (circular or polygonal zone) around the anchor drop point, issuing alerts if the vessel's position deviates beyond the preset perimeter.

Plow/CQR Anchor

A classic-design anchor characterized by its hinged shank and plow-like fluke, renowned for its consistent setting and strong holding characteristics, particularly in soft to medium seabeds, due to its deep-digging capability.

Fluke/Danforth Anchor

An anchor with a pivoting shank and large, pointed flukes designed to penetrate deeply into soft bottom compositions (mud, sand), offering excellent holding power when fully set.

Catenary

The natural curve formed by the anchor chain suspended between the vessel and the seabed, which, due to its weight, acts as a shock absorber, helping to reduce snatch loads on the anchor and vessel.

Snatch Load

A sudden, high-impact force placed on the anchor rode, typically caused by the vessel surging against a taut rode in choppy conditions, which can lead to anchor dragging or rode failure.

Bridle (or Mooring Bridle)

A Y-shaped arrangement of two lines, attached to each bow cleat or hawse pipe and then joined by a single custom length of rode to the anchor chain, used to distribute anchoring loads, reduce swing, and moderate yaw.

Yaw

The oscillatory, side-to-side motion of an anchored vessel about its vertical axis, typically induced by wind, current, or wave action, which can lead to increased swing and strain on the anchor.

Scope Rule of Thumb

General guidelines for minimum scope ratios, typically 5:1 for all-chain rode in calm conditions and increasing to 7:1 or 10:1 for chain/line combinations or in adverse weather, crucial for ensuring adequate holding power.

Veer

To let out more anchor rode, increasing the scope to improve holding power.

Foul Hawse

A condition where two anchor rodes from separately deployed anchors become entangled or crossed due to changes in wind or current, requiring careful maneuvering to untangle.

Tripping Line (Foul Weather Trip)

A separate line attached to the anchor's crown (or tripping point) designed to assist in dislodging a fouled anchor or to break its hold from a sticky seabed.

Crown (of an anchor)

The part of an anchor at the very bottom, opposite the shackle, where the flukes are joined to the shank.

Shank (of an anchor)

The main structural bar of the anchor, connecting the crown (and flukes) to the anchor rode attachment point (usually the shackle or eye).

Fluke (of an anchor)

The broad, flattened, or pointed blades of an anchor that dig into the seabed to provide holding power.

Stock (of an anchor)

A bar or arm on an anchor, often perpendicular to the shank, designed to encourage one of the flukes to dig into the seabed (e.g., Fisherman's anchor).

Stemhead

The very forward part of the boat at the bow, often where the bow roller and anchor securing points are located.

Cleat

A horned fitting, typically metal or composite, securely mounted on deck, used for fastening lines, including the anchor snubber or the anchor rode itself if not using a windlass.

Bollard

A strong, vertical post on deck or a pier, used for securing mooring lines or the anchor rode, particularly on larger vessels.

Chafe Guard

Protective material (e.g., canvas, rubber, PVC) placed around parts of the anchor rode where it might rub against the boat or bottom, preventing abrasion and wear.

Chain Markings

Colored paint, plastic markers, or wire inserts applied to anchor chain links at regular intervals to indicate the amount of rode paid out and to aid in scope management.

Tender (or Dinghy)

A small auxiliary boat carried or towed by a yacht, which can be useful for scouting anchorages, inspecting the anchor, or retrieving a fouled rode in challenging situations.

Anchor Light

A white all-around light displayed by a vessel at anchor between sunset and sunrise, indicating its position to other vessels in accordance with COLREGs (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea).

Seabed Type

The geological composition of the bottom (e.g., mud, sand, rock, shell, grass), which significantly influences anchor selection, optimal scope, and the overall holding power achieved.

Anchor Drag Alarm (Audible)

An audible alert emitted by a GPS or dedicated device when the vessel drifts beyond a specified, user-configurable radius from its programmed anchor drop position, signaling potential dragging.

Veer Cable

A traditional cable or line that connects an anchor alarm transducer mounted on the anchor to the vessel, allowing remote monitoring of anchor depth and status (less commonly used in modern systems with GPS-based alarms).

Chain Counter

An electronic device integrated with the windlass system that digitally displays the precise amount of anchor chain deployed or retrieved, aiding in accurate scope management.

Manual Windlass

A type of windlass operated by hand using a crank handle, commonly found on smaller vessels or as a critical backup system on larger yachts.

Vertical Windlass

A type of windlass where the electric or hydraulic motor and gearbox are mounted below deck, with only the capstan/wildcat assembly visible above, conserving valuable deck space.

Horizontal Windlass

A type of windlass where the entire motor, gearbox, and capstan/wildcat assembly are mounted horizontally on deck, offering easier access for maintenance.

Chain Stopper

A heavy-duty fitting, typically a pelican hook or toggle type, designed to securely fasten the anchor chain and transfer the static and dynamic loads from the chain to a strong point on the vessel, taking strain off the windlass.

Capstan

A rotating drum on a windlass or a standalone deck-mounted unit, specifically designed with a tapered surface to effectively grip and haul in synthetic rope (line), similar in function to a gypsy.

Lead (of the rode)

The angle at which the anchor rode leaves the bow of the vessel, ideally as horizontal as possible at the seabed for maximum holding power, as excessive vertical pull can cause the anchor to break out.

Chafe

Damage or wear to a line, chain, or other material caused by abrasion or rubbing against a rough surface, often mitigated by chafe guards or proper fairleads.

Fairlead

A fitting (e.g., a block, roller, or chock) used to guide a line or chain smoothly in a desired direction, reducing friction, chafe, and ensuring efficient operation.

Fathom

A traditional unit of depth measurement equal to 6\ feet (1.83\ meters), commonly used in nautical charts and for calculating anchor rode scope.

Scope Calculation

The mathematical determination of the optimal anchor rode length based on factors such as water depth, desired scope ratio (e.g., 5:1, 7:1), and vertical height of the bow roller (freeboard) above the waterline.

Freeboard

The vertical distance from the vessel's waterline to its main deck level, a crucial parameter when calculating anchor rode scope to ensure accurate depth measurement for the rode length.

Anchor Watch App

Mobile applications that leverage a smartphone’s GPS capabilities to provide an anchor alarm, track the vessel's drift, and display its position relative to the anchor drop point.

Rode Maintenance

The regular schedule of inspection, cleaning, and professional servicing of anchor chain, line, and connecting hardware to ensure their structural integrity, prevent corrosion or degradation, and prolong their effective lifespan.

Secondary Anchor

A smaller or different type of anchor carried aboard as a backup in case the primary anchor is lost or fouled, or for specific anchoring scenarios, sometimes deployed as a stern anchor.

Stern Anchor

An anchor deployed from the stern of a vessel, often used in conjunction with a bow anchor to precisely restrict swing in narrow anchorages, strong currents, or specific docking maneuvers.

Mooring Buoy (Permanent Mooring)

A privately owned or commercially managed permanently installed floating buoy, secured to the seabed via heavy chain and concrete blocks, designed for long-term vessel attachment without the use of a personal anchor.

Fouling the Propeller

An adverse event where the anchor rode, slack lines, or other debris becomes entangled with the vessel's propeller, potentially causing damage to the shaft or propeller, or loss of propulsion.

Backing Down (on the anchor)

The controlled application of reverse engine thrust after dropping the anchor, a critical maneuver used to confirm the anchor is properly set by progressively loading the rode and ensuring it digs firmly into the seabed.

Underway

A vessel is considered 'underway' under COLREGs when it is not at anchor, nor made fast to the shore, nor aground, implying it is capable of movement through the water.

CQR (Coastal Quick Release) Anchor

A specific type of plow anchor, originally patented by G.I. Crichton and characterized by its hinged shank and distinct plow-like fluke, known for its consistent performance across various seabed types.

Delta Anchor

A modern, single-piece cast variation of the plow anchor, recognized for its high holding power-to-weight ratio, self-righting capabilities, and tendency to self-launch cleanly from a bow roller.

Rocna/Manson Supreme Anchor

High-performance, modern generation anchors characterized by a self-righting roll-bar, large concave fluke, and sharp chiseled tip, designed for rapid setting (usually on first try) and exceptional holding across a wide range of seabed compositions.

Anchor Drag Plotter

A graphical feature on a chartplotter or Multi-Function Display (MFD) that displays the vessel's historical track relative to the anchor drop point, providing a visual representation to quickly identify and monitor any anchor dragging.