What have you snagged your anchor on?

Bene505 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-30-2010

While freediving for blackfish (yum!) I found an anchor left snagged in a pile of rocks and boulders. This actually happened twice in the same spot, the western end of Fisher's Island in Long Island Sound. I gave them both to the owner of the boat we were diving off, having no use for anchors at the time.

Have you ever snagged your anchor? If so, do you have any idea what you snagged it on? Also, did you have to cut it away?

Regards,
Brad

Faster · #2 (**permalink**) 12-30-2010

Crab trap, small rotten log and a bottom-lying cable (twice).

The crab trap came up OK, (empty) and we hadn't dragged overnight. Both cable incidents we retrieved the anchor with great effort (no windlass) and flipped the bight of the cable off the anchor at the surface.

Once saw a boat drag clear across the Newcastle Island anchorage finally pull his anchor to reset and it came up nicely contained in a plastic pail.

poopdeckpappy · #3 (**permalink**) 12-30-2010

Nothing snagged really, I had a octopus hitch a ride on my anchor all the way to the surface then slid off and then a buddy down the dock drop anchor in the same anchorage and came up with a pair of oakly sunglasses.

Looking forward to the next trip up there, no telling what prize we might hook

noelex77 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-31-2010

Snagging the chain around rocks has been the most common problem I have encountered. Dead coral boulders are common in tropical waters and even when the anchor is set in sand the chain can loop around these boulders as the boat swings..
Often the boat can be freed by motoring around in circles, but sometimes you need to dive and attach a rope to the chain to pull it free.
I have not abandoned an anchor yet, but once came close after many attempts failed. I was anchored in 12m of water which was on my limit for free diving ability. Just when I was about to give up a boat with scuba tanks on the back deck anchored next door.

In non tropical waters old mooring chain is the biggest offender, but this is usually easily dealt with by looping rope under the chain. Having an anchor that sets rapidly first time minimises the instances of these problems and a powerfull anchor winch also helps.

My new boat has scuba tanks, but BCD and regulator are still on the list to sort out. I would hate to leave a Rocna 55 on the bottom

CaptainForce · #5 (**permalink**) 12-31-2010

I've cut away some chain and anchor on two occasions when I was in a strong current in turbid water and not willing to risk a dive. Once I had raised the chain enough to see that I was among some cement and rebar that had been dumped and the second time I never saw anything, but I think it was Jimmy Hoffa's car!

Zanshin · #6 (**permalink**) 12-31-2010

Anchored in close to the Ferry Terminal in Marigot, St. Martin last year I had cleared out alone for the BVI and was to depart around 1am, but had trouble getting my anchor up.

klem · #7 (**permalink**) 12-31-2010

I have hooked 2 sunken boats, a 5 ton mooring block, some 1" chain and multiple abandoned anchors. The 5 ton mooring block was the worst since our windlass (big hydraulic unit on a 92' boat) didn't have the power to lift it. We ended up being able to untangle the mess at low tide but we never anchored quite as close to another mooring ball again.

RNC725 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-31-2010

I knew something was on the end, just figured it was a log or chain or something, somehow when it appeared out of the water the lid was almost tightly shut so I just "assumed" there would/could be beverages inside.

There was nothing.

The sea giveth, the sea taketh away. The cooler still works though so a good time was had by all.

Happy New Year! We're taking the boat out at lunch and will return late afternoon tomorrow -- gotta love the south!

whroeder · #9 (**permalink**) 12-31-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bene505

Have you ever snagged your anchor? If so, do you have any idea what you snagged it on?

A cement street light pole, spoil islands, Indian River, Palm Bay. Probably a erosion attempt. Hooked around the rebar.

Bene505 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-31-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by noelex77

Snagging the chain around rocks has been the most common problem I have encountered. Dead coral boulders are common in tropical waters and even when the anchor is set in sand the chain can loop around these boulders as the boat swings..
Often the boat can be freed by motoring around in circles, but sometimes you need to dive and attach a rope to the chain to pull it free.
I have not abandoned an anchor yet, but once came close after many attempts failed. I was anchored in 12m of water which was on my limit for free diving ability. Just when I was about to give up a boat with scuba tanks on the back deck anchored next door...

Moelex,

Did you know in advance that you had the chain snagged around a boulder? I mean, since you would be laying upwind of where you would expect to be. Or did you find out after you started raising the anchor?

Regards,
Brad