Anchors are crucial for maintaining a vessel’s position while at sea or docked, and every component—from the anchor itself to the chain, windlass, and fittings—plays a significant role in this process.
A well-maintained anchoring system prevents costly failures that can arise from neglected components.
Crew members must be knowledgeable about each part and their functions to identify potential issues before they escalate.
This mastery of the parts of the anchoring system equips seafarers to ensure safe and effective anchoring.
Parts of an Anchor
The design of an anchor is relatively straightforward, consisting of a few key components that are essential for its functionality.
Despite varying types, anchors share common components.
Below are the main parts of an anchor, accompanied by a reference image for better understanding.
Crown/ Shackle
Also known as the ring or “D” shackle due to its shape. The crown shackle connects the anchor through its shank to the chain.
Shank
The shank is the central bar shaft of the anchor, linking the “D” shackle to the lower portion of the anchor.
It provides the structural integrity necessary for anchoring.
Fluke/ Palm
The fluke, or palm, is the part of the anchor that penetrates the seabed.
Its flat shape is designed to maximize holding power by ensuring a firm grip on the ocean floor.
Pea or Bill
This is the tip-most portion of the anchor’s fluke.
The pea or bill digs into the seabed, allowing the fluke to bury itself securely and enhance the anchor’s holding capacity.
Stock
The stock is a long bar positioned near the crown, running perpendicular to the shank.
When viewed from above, the stock is also perpendicular to the arm, ensuring that one fluke is at a right angle to the seabed.
This design enables the fluke to dig into the ground effectively.
Modern ships use stockless anchors nowadays.
Crown
This is the area at the anchor head located at the base of the shank, situated between the tripping palms.
Arm or Tripping Palm
In modern stockless anchors, the arm or tripping palm tilts the fluke into the seabed.
Its name reflects its function: it “trips” the anchor so that the fluke is always positioned to face downward for optimal anchoring.
The Anchor Chain
Also called the cable, the chain is the connecting link between the ship and the anchor.
It also serves as a shock absorber especially during swells and heavy weather.
The length of the cable is dependent on many factors such as varying meteorological conditions, depth of water, and type of sea bottom.
One technique used by experienced master’s anchoring on turbulent weather is increasing the chain’s scope.
Key Components of the Anchor Chain
Anchor Link
A smaller D-shackle that connects the crown shackle to the chain.
Swivel
The swivel prevents the chain from fouling or twisting when the ship moves to its turning radius.
Swivel also stops the anchor itself from flipping while holding on to the seafloor.
Common link
Anchor chains can be made up of either studded links or open links:
- Studded Link: Consists of a bar or stud across its center, providing additional strength.
- Open Link (Studless Link): Lacks a central bar and is typically used in larger shackles.
Enlarged Link
A studded link bigger than a common link. It is installed as part of the swivel assembly- before and after the swivel itself.
End link
A studless link that connects the anchor link to the enlarged link or directly to the swivel, forming the final link in the cable assembly.
Kenter Shackle
A type of joining shackle which connects two lengths of a cable.
Kenter shackles serve as a useful indicator of how much chain has been paid out into the water, aiding in precise anchoring operations.
Anchor Windlass Arrangement
An anchor windlass is a heavy-duty system on the ship’s foredeck designed to heave up and lower the chain safely and efficiently.
Each part of its arrangement has a specific function that plays a vital role in the anchoring process.
Key Components of the Anchor Windlass
Hawse Pipe
A stowage pipe for stockless anchors that facilitates the run of chain cable when letting go and heaving up the anchor.
Guide Roller
Positioned in front of the hawse pipe, the guide roller directs the anchor cable onto the gypsy wheel, reducing friction and ensuring proper alignment.
Brake
The brake is used to control or halt the anchor chain’s movement.
It prevents the cable from paying out too quickly during anchoring, allowing the forward party to manage release speed safely.
Chain Stopper
Also known as a Bow Stopper, Cable Stopper, or Guillotine, this device secures the chain to the windlass of the ship and prevents any unintended pay-out when there is tension on the cable.
Anchor Winch or Gypsy Wheel
Different from mooring winches, the gypsy wheel has grooves (wildcats) designed to grip the chain during both heaving and lowering operations, making it the core component in anchor handling.
Spurling Pipe
A vertical pipe that leads the cable to the chain locker.
Chain Locker
The chain locker is the storage compartment for the cable, with each anchor having its own dedicated locker.
The chain locker also houses the bitter end, which is the last link of the cable connected to the ship.
Bitter End
The bitter end is the final section of the chain, secured to a strong point within the ship’s chain locker.
If you understand the word “bollard” or “bitt”, then you will know the correct meaning of the maritime term bitter end.
Anchor Lashings
Anchor Lashings are a combination of turnbuckles, shackles, and heavy-duty wires or chains that secure the anchor from losing especially during sea passage.
Not all anchors are created equal
As a seasoned sailor, you may have noticed variations in anchor designs and components across different vessels.
This is because anchors and their cable arrangements are not standardized. Factors contributing to these differences include:
- Vessel design and size
- Anchor type (e.g., stockless bower anchors, Danforth, Hall anchor, Admiralty Anchor, etc.)
- Manufacturer specifications
- Operational requirements
Modern ships often feature stockless bower anchors, because they offer advantages such as:
- Improved storage efficiency within hawse pipes
- Simplified chain arrangements
- Enhanced performance
Be aware of these variations to ensure familiarity with your vessel’s specific anchor system.
Inspecting Anchor Components
When boarding a vessel, take time to inspect the anchor and its setup—ideally during anchoring operations or while heaving it up.
While the Master may not always oversee anchoring, it’s up to the Chief Mate, Bosun, and deck crew to conduct thorough visual checks.
Critical areas for inspection:
- Common links
- Bow stopper
- Brake
- Securing pin of bow stopper (prone to bending and sticking in bad weather)
- Lashings
- Moving sections (ensure proper greasing during maintenance)
- Anchor Chain (might get twisted)
Knowing the parts of the anchor, its chain, and its windlass securing arrangements help seafarers identify the areas to focus on during inspection.
May the winds be in your favor.