Anchoring Techniques
Introduction
At some point in your boating career whether it be power or sail you will need to anchor your craft at point of deployment and retrieval. It is essential that you have the correct anchor, anchor rode (anchor rope) and chain which is matched to your vessel.
To anchor a vessel safely takes both practice and good communication skills between the skipper and his/her crew taking into account weather conditions, location and seabed as well. All these factors have an influence on the type of anchor to be used and length (scope) of anchor rope and chain required in order to maintain position without any risk of dragging. If the boat has been anchored properly then you can get a good nights sleep. In short, this is one aspect of boating in terms of investment whereby it does not pay to cut corners as apart from protecting your hard earned investment it will also save your life.
We at Anchor Retrieval Solutions only supply leading Brands and Manufacturers Products which have undergone rigorous Quality Controlled and Assured Process in every step of manufacturing. There are a lot of generic (copies) of Branded and Patented Designs of anchors manufactured in the Far East and which are readily available now in UK and Europe and these have not be subject to Quality Control and Strength Tests and therefore are not rated. When you want to purchase an anchor from a supplier, please take the time to ask who manufactured it and what is the rating of the anchor in terms of boat application?
The purchase decision for these lower priced alternatives is mainly on Price and therefore when purchased you take on the risk for a few Pounds Sterling or Euros saved. It is your choice but please consider the safety of yourself, friends and family when you head out to sea.
What Considerations Should be Taken into Account for Problem Free Anchoring?

All leisure craft come in all designs and size and it is these two factors that influence the selection of anchoring equipment as well as the location you are intending to anchor in. Motor Craft, Sailing Yachts, RIB’s and Personal Water Craft all require and method of anchoring safely.
The secret to anchoring is Practice, Practice and more Practice and this is down to teamwork and following a basic set of rules and using your common sense as well as below:

1.   Store Your Anchor Conveniently. Dependant on the size of your craft both size of anchor and rode (rope) will determine where you store it and deploy it as space especially on small boats is limited. We recommend that a laundry basket or chemical barrel cut in half be used and stored in the cockpit. The bitter end of the anchor rope should be tied to the bow cleat in advance of leaving port and then coiled in the order that it would be let out. The order in the basket would be anchor rope, then chain, and the anchor would rest on the top. The basket is self draining so the rope dries quickly and the chances of a tangle are avoided unlike anchor lockers. We recommend the use of the Anka Yanka system for Anchor Retrieval which makes the demanding task of Anchor Retrieval much more enjoyable.

1. Know the Seabed. Always use an Admiralty Chart for your area and this will highlight all known underwater obstructions as well showing the type of seabed, whether it be mud, sand, rock or Seaweed/Kelp. This information will help you decide on the type of anchor to use and length of anchor rode (rope) to ensure there is little risk of dragging anchor.

1. Use the Right Anchor. You will maximise your holding power by matching your anchor with the type of seabed. There are two types of anchor available with different design chatacteristics. These anchor types either fall into the burying or hooking types. Burying anchors penetrate the seabed and grip it, whilst hooking anchors rely on snagging the surface of the seabed. Examples of burying anchors are designs such as the Danforth, Fortress, CQR (Plough), Bruce (Claw) are best in sand, clay, and mud bottoms. With the exception of the CQR (Plough), Seaweed/Kelp is a problem for burying anchors because they can't penetrate the surface to bite. Hooking anchors, such as the old-fashioned, the Fishermans Anchor and the grapnel, are best in gravel, coral, rock and seaweed/kelp-covered bottoms. There is no one anchor that will handle all seabeds, so make an informed selection that will handle the majority of seabeds in your area. It is always useful to have the two types on board anyway. Talk to club members and other experienced boat owners in your area to find out what they use and why.

1. Use the Right Anchor Rode (Rope). Your anchor gear consists of three elements: the anchor. chain and the rode (rope). Rode is the nautical term for the length of line that connects the anchor with the boat. The anchor rode (rope) should have elastic properties and we recommend 3 Strand Nylon to help absorb shocks from wave motion. A length of chain minimum 5 Metres needs to be attached to the  anchor rode (rope) to hold the rode (rope) close to the seabed for maximum holding power of the anchor. The length of chain also helps protect your nylon rode from abrasion on rocky bottoms. Your rode should be at least six times the deepest anchorage you plan to use, plus another 10 to 20 percent for a safety margin. If you have two sets of anchors, you can shackle the two rodes (ropes) together if you need additional length. We recommend that you have two sets of anchoring equipment.
2. Choose Your Anchorage Carefully. First, look at other boats in the anchorage and follow their lead in using either a single anchor or bow-and-stern anchors. Determine where their anchors lie so you won't foul them, and select a position that will allow you to swing with the wind or current without bumping into other boats.
3. Determine the Scope (Length) of the Anchor Rode (Rope). The recommended minimum scope (Length) for good weather is 6:1, which means 6 Metres (9.75ft) of anchor rode (rope) for every 1 Metre (3.25ft) of depth which will give you good holding. In unstable weather or exposed anchorages you will need to increase the scope (Length) to increase holding power for increased safety. You can mark your anchor rode (rope) so you know how much to rode (rope) to let out according to weather conditions and tide.
4. Do Not Forget Tidal Movements. The Scope (Length) of an Anchor Rode (Rope) is the calculated distance from the bow cleat to the seabed. Therefore if you anchor in 3.08 Metres (10 Feet) of water with 18.46 Metres (60 Feet) of scope, it seems you have an acceptable 6:1 scope (60:10) using measure in feet. However, if the bow cleat is 0.923 Metres (3 feet) above sea level and the tide rises 2.15 Metres (7 feet) later that day, you've dropped to an unsafe 3:1 scope (60:20) using measure of feet. Always monitor and calculate the maximum scope requirement to be on the safe side.
5. Train Your Crew. Anchoring your boat is a procedure that needs to be undertaken in controlled circumstances. If your crew and or guests do not know what to do and when then this can lead to complications and communication difficulties. A quick briefing beforehand will let your crew know what you expect of them, as well as help you to sort out the anchoring procedure in your own mind. Keep a pair of heavy duty waterproof gloves aboard to protect their hands from the anchor rode (rope) and chain. The gloves also protect crews hands from mud or seaweed that may come up with the anchor.
6. Communication. Because it's often hard to hear over wind and engine noise, agree hand signals to let the crew know what you want. Examples being to commence lowering the anchor use a thumbs down signal. To stop paying out the anchor rode (rope) clench your fist and for the crew to let you know the anchor rode (rope) is securely fastened, they use the okay sign. To raise the anchor you can use a thumbs up sign.
7. Deploying Anchor. Never throw the anchor over the bow: it's a sure way to both tangle your anchor and create a dangerous situation especially with regards to weight of anchor and chain and entanglement. Ensure that boat is brought to rest (stopped) and has stopped all forward motion before lowering the anchor, or you could tangle your propeller and sterngear.
8. Set the Anchor Firmly. Reverse the boat steadily, paying out anchor rode (rope) until you reach the predetermined scope (length). Secure the rode (rope) to the bow cleat, and continue using reverse power to help the anchor dig in securely.
9. Take Bearings. Line up a couple of landmarks on each side (don't use other boats — they move) to see if you are holding firmly or dragging anchor. You can also use your GPS system to fix co-ordinates and set an alarm.
10. Check Position Regularly. Once anchored, give the anchor rode a solid tug to see if it's holding. You'll feel it if the anchor skips along the bottom. From time to time, check your bearings and or GPS Position to see if you've moved.
11. Beware of Rope Abrasion. Keep an eye open for chafe. An anchor rode moving over a rough edge with every wave can wear through very quickly. You can increase the length of chain or move it to a better location. Always use your bow roller as it provides valuable protection if you anchor regularly. Boat Anglers should take note of this as you tend to move around a lot more in finding fish to catch.
12. Tighten the Shackle Pin. Because the anchor gear is in constant motion, the shackle between the chain and the rode can unscrew itself. Therefore at the beginning and end of a days boating, all shackles should be checked and the shackle pin tightened up if necessary. Traditionally, the shackle pin has been tightened securely with Monel or Stainless Steel wire, but Thread Lock Adhesives are also used as a safeguard.
13. Manners and Courtesy. If you are not sure how a nearby boat is anchored or where their anchor lies, approach them at talking distance making sure not to foul their anchor rope and ask them. It is best to find out now than to find yourself having to re-anchor and move to another anchorage.

Anchoring is one of the most important skills to master if you plan to move from one anchorage to another on a regular basis. Since there is rarely any need to rush whilst undertaking this task and having prepared your crew, what can sometimes be a daunting task becomes a well orchestrated safe procedure which can be made easier by adopting the Anka Yanka Anchor Retrieval System.