Anchor chain blues

'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Sun 13 Oct 2013 01:40
Q: What goes SNAP in the middle of a storm?
A:Correct!
I was up and about when a moderate rain shower, I won't call it a storm, came through the anchorage. One other boat had already dragged and then I got a call from the neighbours. Yes, I was moving around.

I got the engine started, got her in gear to warm up the transmission then started to haul up the anchor. It was very easy, because at the 20 metre mark there was nothing attached!

I motored around for a bit and once things had eased up a bit rigged the second anchor. This has only 12 metres of chain and the rest is rope (thanks Calypso) so I'm not really that keen. Once I'm sure the boat is secure I'll end for end the remaining anchor chain and if things are still OK I'll go and retrieve the main anchor.

I'm not sure how deep it is because of the non-working depth gauge. I suspect about 4 metres in which case I might be able to free-dive it. Oh yes, motoring around the anchorage, as you do when the anchor chain breaks, it's all 6-7 metres.
What fun!