The following is one of a series of Safety-at-Sea thoughts that first appear in the OCC’s e-bulletin.
Anchor Choice, a generational question
There is safety-at-sea and there is safety-at-anchor. Being safe at anchor often gets overlooked until zero-dark-thirty and a squall is coming through.
Writing about anchors usually stirs up a hornet’s nest of response, but I believe that the evidence is in that the new generation of anchors (SPADE, Rocna, Manson, etc.) is superior to the old generation (CQR, Bruce, Delta, Fortress, etc.). They are so far superior that I believe a case can be made that having a new generation anchor approaches being a safety issue: much like having and using jacklines and tethers offshore.
Some of us do a lot of anchoring, many do not, but every vessel should have an anchor that is dependable and easily deployed. I am not saying that the old generation anchors can’t anchor safely: after all, they have for generations. But I am saying that the new generation do everything significantly better: which translates into safety-at-anchor and peace of mind when the wind starts to howl.
I have been in a number of ports these last few years where boats that wander widely congregate and, almost without exception, the word is out: every boat sports a new generation anchor on the bow.
I hate to suggest that a valued anchor who has been a trusted piece of gear be turned into a lawn ornament, but safety suggests that one’s bower anchor be chosen from the new generation.
Safe anchoring, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Questions as to the actual anchor, among the new generation of anchors, has already seen some discussion in the Forum.