Posted by Dan Lind on February 17, 2003 at -1:11:20 from 24.69.255.202 user captain.
In anchoring the three ships - Wild Cat, Goblin, Sea Bear - I have noticed one of the most important anchoring practices is not used. Considerable effort is made to sound the depth, sample the bottom, and adjust the scope (a little late in the case of Goblin). But, never is the actual set of the anchor tested.
I've learned by hard lesson that the most important thing to do (after sounding,sampling and determining scope) is to reverse the engine slowly until the anchor is believed to have dug itself in, then to reverse quite hard for several seconds until the chain can be seen taking up the strain. The stern should then veer off one way or the other. Then, when in neutral, the ship will surge forward as the weight of the chain causes it to drop along the bottom. Only at this time can one be reasonably sure the anchor is doing its job.
Another observation is that on Goblin and Sea Bear the chain runs itself out of the chain locker. But, on Wild Cat the chain is ranged out on deck prior to anchoring. I'm not sure why.
I do agree that the Wild Cats did the right thing by unshackling the chain from the anchor before stowing it. I assume the chain was then allowed to drop into its chain locker and the hawse hole sealed up: a lot of water can get into the locker on a rough sea passage unless this is done.