What Should Be Avoided When Anchoring?
Last Updated on January 12, 2022
The anchor is the most important part of a boat. It’s what keeps it in place and secured to the ocean floor, without which your boat would be lost to shifting currents and wind gusts. That being said, anchoring can sometimes pose its own set of risks. In this article, we’ll be looking at what should be avoided when anchoring.
Some of these items may seem like common sense, but many people are guilty of overlooking them — and it’s those people who tend to stand in harm’s way! So what can you do? Read on for a list of what should be avoided when anchoring!
What Should Be Avoided When Anchoring?
Tying off the rope without first securing the boat can lead to accidents that may result in severe injury or even death of yourself and others. Read on for a list of things you should never do when anchoring!
1) Never anchor your boat while it’s still in the water. The boat must always be on land or secured to a dock before tying off the rope. Tying off the rope without first securing the boat can lead to accidents that may result in severe injury or even death of yourself and others.
2) Do not stand too close to where you are anchoring, as this is where most injuries occur due to improper use of ropes and equipment. You should also not lean over the side of your boat or hang off the edge when anchoring.
3) Do not wear loose clothing when anchoring. Loose clothing and jewelry can get caught on the rope and cause injuries during rough waves. When in doubt, take it off.
4) Don’t use a golf ball retriever to pull your rope out of the water. I know it’s a useful tool but when the golf ball retriever is pulled out of the water, it can cause severe injury to you and others on deck.
5) The anchor should never be left unattended while still at the bottom of the ocean floor. Anchors may fail if they are not properly secured!
6) Don’t climb on your boat’s bow when it is tied off to the dock. The motion of the water current can easily push the boat back and forth, causing you to fall into the water or overboard.
7) Do not allow children near ropes and equipment while anchoring. Children should be supervised at all times.
8) Do not jump off the side of your boat to swim in the water while it’s tied to a dock without signaling someone on board first. This can cause your boat to float away, leaving you stranded with no transportation in or out of the harbor.
9) Anchoring near coral reefs can be devastating for the coral and the fish that call it home. The heavyweight of your boat can also damage corals, causing them to break and die.
10) Don’t hold up a bucket or any other object while you’re holding onto a rope after tying off an anchored boat. If the boat were to suddenly start moving, you could easily lose control and drop the bucket, which could fall on someone below deck and cause serious injury.
11) Don’t jump on deck from a moving boat while it’s tied off to the dock. This can cause you or others to lose balance and fall overboard into the water.
12) Never leave the rope unattended in front of yourself for too long. Your boat will continue to move and pull you with it if the rope is left off of the anchor for too long. Always hold onto the end or secure one end of a rope to yourself!
14) Don’t let go of the rope while your boat is tied off to the dock. The motion of your boat against the current can easily cause you to be pulled over or fall overboard if you lose control of one end of a rope. Never trust that the ropes will always hold while tying off a boat, as they are only designed to hold a certain amount of weight.
15) Don’t lift your anchor out of the water with your hands if you’re not wearing heavy gloves, as this can cause serious injury to your hands or wrists from rope burns. Always wear leather work or dock gloves when lifting anchors!
16) If your boat’s anchor is not made of the proper material, do not use it! Anchors should be made from stainless steel or aluminum. Never allow your boat to sit idle in the water with a wooden anchor on deck if it isn’t already secured.
17) Don’t jump on board your anchored boat when it is tied off to a dock or any solid object. It is not safe to jump from a boat onto the dock, as you could slip and fall into the water due to wet or slippery surfaces. Always walk on board your boat when you want to get off of it.
18) Never leave a secured anchor unattended overnight or during the night when there is no one left on deck to take care of it. If the weather changes quickly, you may find yourself in danger with nowhere to go!
19) Do not attempt to use rocks or bricks as an anchor. This may seem like a good idea at first, but it can cause damage to the bottom of your boat and to other boats in the harbor.
What Should Be Avoided When Anchoring – Conclusion
If you are going to be anchoring your boat anytime soon, it is crucial that you know what could happen if something goes wrong. Your boat is not the only thing at risk when sailing in the water – people on board can get hurt or die as well! Take precautions and be sure to always wear a life vest while out on the deck while sailing in the water.
