A Course for Safe Boating

Chapter 3 u Vessel Operation

Emergency Anchoring Use of an anchor can help in emergency situations. ƒ ƒ If the boat engine fails, set the anchor immediately to avoid running aground. ƒ ƒ If drifting into shallow waters or other boats, set the anchor. ƒ ƒ If bad weather, rough waters or currents are blowing you ashore, set the anchor. Weighing Anchor ƒ ƒ Head the boat toward the anchor. ƒ ƒ Go ahead slowly using the engine while you retrieve the line. ƒ ƒ When the boat is over the anchor, stop the boat—but not the engine—and lift the anchor. ƒ ƒ Carefully stow the anchor and line so it will be ready for the next use. ƒ 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 ƒ Tie the anchor line to a cleat and go forward slowly. ƒ 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 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 ƒ Letting the anchor go without securing the line to the boat —oops, lost the anchor! ƒ 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 ƒ Poor communication between the boat operator and the person setting the anchor —oops, dropped the anchor at the wrong time!

64

California Boating  A Course for Safe Boating