If a boat's anchor becomes hooked on the seabed how can it be retrieved ?

Answer 1

Ocassionally when the anchor is really stuck the line has to be cut. However, generally if you take the boat to directly over the anchor you can pull from there better than from the spot with scope out. If that does not help, go in the opposite direction from where you had the scope out and use the boat motor to pull. As the free rode is taken up, continue to use the boat motor to pull on the anchor or if you have one use the windlass. Sometimes a diver is used if the anchor is hooked on an object.

Answer 2

Depending on the type of anchor, the usual process is to slowly drive the boat over the anchor while retrieving the anchor line. Once the boat is over the spot where the anchor is stuck and the anchor line is taught, secure the line to a cleat and slowly drive the boat to the right side of the anchor then to the left. It idea is to twist the anchor while pulling it back out of the bottom. If the anchor line is not fouled on something or the anchor wedged into something hard, this usually works.

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Answer 3

First, is seabed a "Protected" status? If so, do very carefully, could involve a fine. If manual anchor and not electric winch, try slowly moving boat TOWARD the anchor rope while letting out a small amount of line, more. Try again. Is bottom hard (rock, etc, or soft, weeds, sand?) If rock/hard bottom keep doing above in different directions while letting out and pulling in line. Also, try backing up and giving some power to determine HOW stuck you are. With manual, it's trial and error. Maybe more "POWER" ( meaning get husband out from behind wheel and let him try!.) Lastly, if using an electric winch, bring line in while taking boat in other direction. Again, T&E. Last effort... how much is the anchor and some line worth?? LOL. Cut, literally, your losses! Good luck and happy boating

Answer 4

In over 36 years I have lost 1 anchor, I had to cut it because anchor got stuck in old lost fishing gear. I appreciate the good in formation given by others on this section, but there is no exact method guaranteed for success; all depends on what type of anchor and what the object is that keeps you on a hold.
My contribution is a recent experience of 4 weeks ago with my 31ft Mitchell Sea Angler with 300hp Perkins on the North Sea. I Wanted to be close to a wreck, and my navigator did put me on top of it. Started to loose fishing lines and decided to anchor up... without result. One hour of hard labor in strong current brought us on top of the anchor... 9 meters of anchor line and chain out, and 9 meters under the boat according to our Furuno... we where probably lucky, but just before I decided to cut the anchor and leave it on a rope with yellow fender, I made a final try.. went fully over starboard with full trottle... imagine.. up came the anchor.
This is not to be considered as a good way of handling the problem; avoiding to anchor on the wreck had been the best solution...
Every difficult situation at sea is different; common sence and experience is of great help.
Happy sailing.

Answer 5

There many ways. A few ways are; One drive around the Anchor and pull from the opposite direction. Some can have a Trip Rope you pull to release it from the bottom.

I tried to find a few web-sites. These may help;
http://powerboat.about.com/cs/navigationaids/ht/DSRanchor.htm
http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/articledetail.html?lid=1875

Sometimes we must accept defeat and cut the umbilical cord, so, have a spare.

Here one more link that has some animations may help;
http://www.boat-ed.com/oh/course/p3-8_anchoring.htm

Answer 6

All of the answers above are spot on but I just need to add some wit. If you are the captain of the vessel assign a crew member to dive the anchor rode and free the anchor by hand. It let's your crew know that you mean business.

Answer 7

If not to deep mask & flipers.Or drive up while pulling the rode in till it's straight down then power foward that usually pulls it out> Unless caugh in rocks Or coral???