Anchoring

Intriguing dance steps were taken to anchor Franda II. The decision would be made to anchor. But where? The chart would indicate where anchoring was permitted if we were in a busy harbour. It also showed minimum depths and if there were any submerged rocks. The chosen spot would need to be far enough away from the other boats. This allowed a "swinging room" so the boats would not swing and touch if the wind changed or dropped.

But we did not like big, busy harbours. But sometimes, when clearing in, we would need to temporarily anchor in them. They were noisy, busy and dirty. Instead, we preferred bays with no other visitors, crystal clear waters for the morning "skinny dip". If Franda II was in an isolated spot, we could anchor anywhere, well, almost. However, a few rather essential items needed some consideration.

First, the wind direction and weather forecast were noted. Franda II preferred to anchor where the wind would blow us offshore. This was safer. If the anchor dragged, Franda II would drag out to sea and not end up on the beach. Secondly, the ocean would stay calm. However, if anchored with the wind blowing towards the shore, waves could get big and uncomfortable, and if Franda II dragged the anchor, we could end up aground.

Once the wind situation is analysed, the chart is consulted, and a potential bay or area of a bay is chosen. This is not always suitable, as hills and landmasses can change the local wind direction in some places.

There are excellent books on suitable anchorages in some countries. These books give water depth, seabed material(sand, mud, etc.), wind directions in which it is sheltered, and underwater obstacles. However, some places are not covered by this type of book. So, the captain must ensure every possible scenario is checked and their "gut feel" is consulted. Also, some areas Franda II visited had never been surveyed, so charts had been drawn without details in places.

If other boats were in the bay, they would tell the story of the effects of wind and tide. Were the inshore ones lying at a different angle to those further out? Was the tide ebbing or flooding? What impact would a tide change have? What was the tide height? Once all these visual signs were processed, a spot would be chosen.

If there were no boats in the bay, Franda II would slowly make a circuit of it, feeling the wind off the land and noticing the high tide mark on the beach or rocks, getting a feel for the area.

Franda II would then circle around her imaginary anchor point to check the depth and look for obstacles. This had been keenly learnt in Kohara The maximum tide height would be deducted from the depth sounder reading. (Often, the tide height was just a guess from looking ashore, as no detailed tide tables were available). Thus ensuring that there was water below the keel at low tide. At zero reading, Franda II's keel was inches off the bottom. Once satisfied, the helmsperson manoeuvred upwind to this imaginary anchor point.

One crew member went forward to the bow as the foredeck hand; their job was to ready the anchor. First, they loosened the anchor winch brake and pulled a foot of chain onto the deck, then re-tightened the winch brake. Next, at the bowsprit, where the anchor roller is, they would lift the anchor's shaft and push the anchor forward till it was balanced against its chain on the roller at a 45-degree angle. Finally, back at the winch, they would release the brake and allow the anchor to ease down until it was 2 chain links below the roller and clear of the sea. It was now ready to "drop" at a signal from the helmsperson. If it was let down too far and into the water, Franda II would run over it and possibly scratch her hull. This is not a good idea, as fixing a gash below the waterline takes a lot of work.

Once Franda II was in position and forward motion stopped by a touch of reverse, the helmsperson signalled the forward crew. With the release of the brake and a splash, the anchor would race to the bottom. When the chains' descent slowed, they signalled back to the helmsman, "Anchor on the bottom."

If there was not enough wind to blow Franda II back on her anchor, the engines were gently put in reverse. Then, the forward hand slowly fed out the chain, keeping Franda II heading into the wind. The chain was stopped when twice the water depth had been released. When Franda II "rode to," she would then have the engines thrust half speed in reverse.

The deckhand would place their barefoot on the anchor chain, feeling the vibrations. First, they would gauge whether the anchor was holding or being dragged. When confident the anchor held, they would signal the helmsperson, who would select neutral. They then carefully let out more chain equal to twice the water depth without dumping it on top of itself.

Signalling the helmsperson that Franda II was riding at anchor, the engine was shut down. The last job of the forward hand was to put one or both of the chain hooks on. This was a preformed thick rope that had a spliced loop in one end and a spliced hook on the other. If only using one, the loop went over the starboard bollard. Then, the hook was placed under and around a chain link. The anchor winch brake was released until the weight of Franda II was held by the bollard, not the anchor winch, and then the brake was tightened again.

If a strong wind was forecast or they would be at anchor for an extended period, the other hook from the port bollard would also be deployed. They had learned their lesson early on in their ownership of Franda II. The crew then made Franda II ship shape.. They could now go ashore if they wanted to or needed to.