143035_DBW Course_r3

Chapter 3 X Vessel Operation

Emergency Anchoring Use of an anchor can help in emergency situations. ƒ If the boat engine fails, set the anchor immediately to avoid running aground. ƒ If drifting into shallow waters or other boats, set the anchor. ƒ If bad weather, rough waters or currents are blowing you ashore, set the anchor. Kedging ƒ Practice kedging before it is needed by using a long line and light anchor. ƒ Use kedging to move a sailboat out of dead calm, by hauling on a line attached to a kedge anchor, a sea anchor or a fixed object, such as a bollard. ƒ Use kedging to haul a small boat that has run aground, for example, from a sandbank. Weighing Anchor ƒ Head the boat toward the anchor. ƒ Go ahead slowly using the engine while you retrieve the line. ƒ When the boat is over the anchor, stop the boat—but not the engine—and lift the anchor. ƒ Carefully stow the anchor and line so it will be ready for the next use. ƒ Never pull up the anchor without starting the engine first. If the anchor does not come free, try the following in calm water, avoiding wave action from your vessel’s stern: ƒ Tie the anchor line to a cleat and go forward slowly. ƒ If the anchor still does not come free, circle slowly and try to loosen the anchor. Be careful to keep the line from wrapping around the propeller. ƒ Try to free the anchor from several different angles—and don’t give up easily. The chain or the anchor may be hung up. Don’t put the boat or pas sengers in danger. Common Mistakes ƒ Letting the anchor go without securing the line to the boat —oops, lost the anchor! ƒ Letting the anchor go with the anchor line wrapped around gear or the foot of a passenger —oops, lost the passenger or the gear! ƒ Poor communication between the boat operator and the person setting the anchor —oops, dropped the anchor at the wrong time!

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California Course for Safe Boating