How to retrieve a stuck anchor while boating

The use of a sliding buoy system to retrieve an anchor may have caused the capsize of a recreational boat, Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV) says in its recent Shipshape boating newsletter.

MSV goes so far as to advise against the use of a sliding-buoy system, however, we have had great success with such systems over decades of hardcore offshore boating and fishing. We disagree with MSV in this regard [ED: David Lockwood].

Wrapping an anchor rope around a prop isn't a function of an anchor retrieval buoy but can happen any time you have slack anchor rope lying on the surface and, especially, if you drive up the line instead of forward and off to an angle of (say 30-45 degrees) to keep the line away from the prop.

All buoy-retrieval devices need the anchor line and main pull to come from the bow when you drive off. In this case, slack line apparently fouled the prop and the boat went down stern first before it flipped.

This can happen with any anchor-retrieval process and keeping a slack line away from your whirring prop is imperative at all times! Please remember this important point.

FLIPPED CLOSE TO SHORE
The operator of the 4.8m boat had reportedly set a reef anchor about 500m from the shore. As the weather deteriorated, the solo boater decided to retrieve the anchor and return to his launching place.

However, the anchor could not be freed and, at the same time, the propeller on the outboard motor was fouled by a slack portion of the anchor line.

This is not unusual and the risk of running over a slack anchor line and it fouling your prop is a very high risk part of anchor retrieval that requires absolute diligence and carefulness from the skipper and crew.

In this case, the disabled vessel then began to take waves over the stern, MSV reports. The anchor line became taut and transferred weight on to the transom, which allowed more water to flood into the boat.

Having the load of the anchor pulling from the stern or transom of your boat is the worst possible solution and a recipe for swamping and capsize.

The boater tried to cut the line but was unsuccessful. Manual bailing could not keep up with the entry of water.

LIFEJACKET AND FLOTATION
The man was able to attract the attention of a nearby vessel by waving an oar just as his boat capsized and he was thrown into the water.

The boat then floated in a 'basic flotation' profile with the stern and motor under water and the bow just projecting above the surface.

Fortunately, the operator of the capsized boat was wearing an automatically inflating lifejacket which supported him in the water. He was soon recovered by other recreational vessels in the area.

As an aside, MSV reports the outboard motor showed signs of very heavy corrosion within 24 hours of the incident and is a complete loss.

ANCHORING TIPS
MSV offers the following tips about anchoring in small boats…

>> Invest in a windlass or winch for the anchor if you have difficulty in raising the anchor by hand. MSV advises against the use of a sliding-buoy system, however, we have had great success with suck system and disagree with MSV in this regard. The buoy-retrieval devices still need the anchor line and main pull to come from the bow when you drive off.
>> Keep all slack lines well clear of the engine and propeller
>> Wear an appropriate lifejacket - you never know when you may be suddenly thrown into the water
>> Have a means of attracting the attention of local vessels - such as flares, smoke signals, whistle, torch etc.