Right then.
I've end for ended the remaining anchor chain. I have at least 60 metres as far as I can judge of what appears to be A1 'virgin' chain plus about 10 metres that shows some signs of corrosion but the links appear sound and unworn. The first purchase in Malaysia will be 90metres of 8mm chain, I really don't like anchoring using rope/chain combination. Did I mention I have books for sale on Amazon?
I've retrieved the anchor. It took about ten minutes in the general area, following a couple of 'chain tracks' in the sand and there she was. I really don't know how deep it was but it was two ear-clears. Maybe 5 metres? Not more I don't think. Anyway the anchor was well set!!! I got a line around the hoop ,it's a Rocna so has a 'rollover bar' and then I somewhat hurriedly headed for the surface. I'm really not as fit as I ought to be.
Anyway, I broke the anchor out and was hauling away quite, OK relatively, happily until I got the anchor up to the dingy then the lack of spinach for breakfast told. I had to swing the thing outwards so it didn't puncture the dingy and could I? Could I buggery! Fortunately Kevin from Tintin was passing and came over to lend a hand. Job done! He also kindly offered to lend me an outboard until Denga Bay but there's only two more stops and I already feel like the poor relative on the scrounge, what with a borrowed headsail so I declined but I appreciate the offer. He actually brought the outboard over to me and boy was I tempted!
The remaining job now that I have the anchor/chain back on board is to remove the swivel and connect it to the other end of the chain. It's been on the anchor since late 2007 and does not want to come off. Right now it's soaking up some WD40 but if the worse comes to the worse I'll just shackle the chain to the anchor. There is some debate about the merit of swivels anyway, particularly as to exactly where they should be fitted, at the anchor end of the chain, in the middle or near the surface. I have no real opinion on this so I won't lose any sleep over it if I can't get the swivel off the chain.
Right, now for a very belated breakfast that I might as well call lunch. Any one for spinach?
