How NOT to lose your boat.

While I am waiting for my boat to be completed I have been making up all sorts of things and getting my gear ready for the coming diving season. A new anchor and rope was one of the things that I needed to prepare. If you have ever had to swim after a drifting boat or worse still lost one you will know how important this piece of equipment is. The type and size of Anchor and size and length of chain you use critical as it is the weight of chain that sets the Anchor,  you should always follow professional advise on what type and size Anchor, Chain and Rope you purchase. The first 5 meters or so of rope is the most vulnerable as it connects to the chain and is therefore close to the bottom. So with that in mind and considering as divers we often anchor on reef that can damage our anchor rope here is a run through of how I prepare a new anchor rope.

Step 1. Purchase about 5 meters of clear tubing with an internal diameter
a little larger than your Anchor Rope. Then using an electricians fish tape
or similar tool pull the rope through the tubing.

Step 2. When you have pulled the tubing down the length of your rope
and reach the Eye, carefully split the tubing to a length of a little over
twice the length of the splice and Eye.

Step 2a. When splitting the tube be very careful not to cut yourself or the
 Anchor Rope and always cut away from your body.

Step 3. Pull the splice up to the end of the split and trim a section as shown
 to go around the Eye.

Step 4. Wrap the tubing around the Eye and then back over itself up
past the splice.

Step 5. Tie a couple of constrictor knots with some strong cord
 ( see tying Spear gun rubber tutorial) to secure the tubing in place.
You can use Monel wire and twist it if you like  I just prefer cord as the
ends don't rip up your gloves or hands.

Step 6. Tie some more constrictor knots at intervals along the length of the
 tubing to secure it in place. 

Step 7. Tie a constrictor knot on the other end of the tubing.
 ( this step is not required I do it just to keep things looking neat).

Step 8. Now you can secure your Anchor Chain with a Bow Shackle,
be sure to tighten the Shackle Pin with a spanner .

Step 9. Now using some Galvanized or Monel wire. secure the Shackle Pin
so there is no chance of it working loose.

Step 9. Close up detail.

Step 10. Trim the wire and bend the ends over so they will not tear your hands
of gloves when you are handling the Anchor in future.

You are now ready to use your new Anchor rope safe in the knowledge that it will not easily chafe through on the reef. Once again seek professional advise on the Anchor set up for your specific type of vessel and local conditions.