Sea Scout Academy
Lesson Plan
ABL-8 Anchoring
Time: 4:00
This and other plans are for Sea Scout and leaders to teach maritime and leadership skills. They are based on the 2016 Sea Scout Manual and requirements. Some lessons have an accompanying PowerPoint presentation. I consider PowerPoint an introduction the topic, to be followed by hands-on practice. Several lessons will not have PowerPoint, usually because it is my judgement that PowerPoint is not an appropriate aid to teaching that lesson. Lesson plans and presentations will be added and modified when ready.
Each plan and presentation has the rank, requirement number and short name. LP means lesson plan, PPT means PowerPoint. APP means Apprentice, the number is the number of the requirement. ORD = Ordinary. ABL = Able. QM = Quartermaster. There are a few miscellaneous items as well.
I created these lesson plans primarily for the Houston area Sea Scout Academy. However, I hope that they are also useful for other Sea Scout situations and venues. So, I expect everyone using the lesson plans to modify them to fit their audience and their style. There are also other resources in the DVD with the Sea Scout Manual, and on www.seascout.org.
I invite comments from those that use these lesson plans, so we can have continuous improvement. If you are aware of a better example, or a great illustration that is not in them, please send them to me for inclusion. Especially, if I miss applying a change from the Sea Scout Manual, Guide to Safe Scouting, or a Coast Guard publication, please contact me so we can keep these current and accurate.
You may contact me at or .
George Crowl; Skipper, Ship 1996; Sam Houston Area Council
Philosophy: Sea Scout Academy’s primary purpose is to teach the material to the Sea Scout. If the Sea Scout demonstrates mastery of parts of the subject, then the instructor should annotate on the class roster what has been passed, in the instructor’s opinion. Skippers have the right to re-examine any Sea Scout in any requirement. (Knots are not a good subject to give a pass in.)
8. Anchoring
a. Describe the various kinds of anchor rode and the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
b. Identify the parts of the anchor cable starting with the anchor and ending at the vessel.
c. Describe the methods of marking chain or rode and demonstrate that you know the chain or rode markings on your ship’s vessel.
d. While on a cruise assist in the construction of an anchor watch schedule and stand one watch.
e. Identify a capstan or windlass and explain its use in handling line, wire rope, or chain.
Reference: See "Ground Tackle" on page 166-172.
Equipment Required: Samples of anchor rode and the parts of the anchor cable would be useful.
Ratio: 1:6 Instructor:Student, youth make good assistants.
Lesson Plan:
8a. Describe the various kinds of anchor rode and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. There are essentially three kinds of anchor rode, chain, nylon, and manila. Chain is used for large vessels because of its resistance to abrasion, and the weight of the chain provides some shock absorption as the chain is lifted from and returned to the seabed. Lighter weight chain is used to connect the anchor and rope road, again with the intent that the length of chain will take the main abrasion. Discuss why a chain is normally attached to the ring of an anchor. Chain resists abrasion from the bottom rocks, sand and mud, and provides a force to keep the shank lying on the bottom.
Nylon is the preferred anchor rode for the remainder. Braided is better than laid, because the cover protects the load bearing threads from abrasion. Nylon stretches, and absorbs shock as it tightens. It dries more easily and is less susceptible to rot.
Manila used to be the main anchor rode, it does have more stretch than some other materials. However, it is not as good a shock absorber as nylon. If it is put away wet, it is susceptible to rot.
8b. Identify the parts of the anchor cable starting with the anchor and ending at the vessel. The anchor normally has a ring attached to the shank. To that ring is attached a shackle, then chain. A swivel is often set in the chain to allow for rotation of the rode. More chain, a shackle to attach to either the main chain, or to the thimble. If attached to a rope rode, the thimble is surrounded by a close-fitting eye splice, reinforced by safety wire and seizing.
Anchor shank
Anchor ring
Shackle (to anchor)
Chain
Swivel
Chain (may not be necessary)
Shackle (to rode)
Main chain or thimble
(Thimble has eye splice around, with safety wire and seizing)
8c. Describe the methods of marking chain or rode and demonstrate that you know the chain or rode markings on your ship’s vessel. An example is military chain marking. Both military and civilian chains come in shots of 15 fathoms (90 feet). They are connected by a detachable link.
First shot: 15 fathoms – detachable link red, one white link on each side with one turn of wire around the stud (crosspiece) of the white links.
Second shot: total 30 fathoms – detachable link white, two white links on each side with two turns of wire around the studs of the outer white links.
Third shot: total 45 fathoms – detachable link blue, three white links on each side with three turns of wire around the studs of the outer white links.
Fourth shot: total 60 fathoms – detachable link red, four white links on each side with four turns of wire around the studs of the outer white links.
Fifth shot: total 75 fathoms – detachable link white, five white links on each side with five turns of wire around the studs of the outer white links.
Sixth shot: total 90 fathoms – detachable link blue, six white links on each side with six turns of wire around the studs of the outer white links.
The students need to describe what is on their own vessel. Do not be surprised if there are no markings on many typical Sea Scout vessels. There is no standard marking system for rode.
8d. While on a cruise assist in the construction of an anchor watch schedule and stand one watch.
Ask the Scouts how they would construct an anchor watch schedule. If they do not come up with similar answer by themselves, ask them to consider:
1) What is the purpose of an anchor watch?
2) How long a period do we need an anchor watch?
3) How many people do we have to stand an anchor watch?
4) What is a reasonable amount of time that one person can be effective on the anchor watch?
5) How can we minimize the disruption of sleep or other duties?
Duties: Watch GPS or take bearings to insure vessel is not dragging anchor. Insure vessel will not interfere with other vessels. Check anchor light and/or ball. Monitor Channel 16. Call the Skipper for unusual circumstances.
8e. Identify a capstan or windlass and explain its use in handling line, wire rope, or chain.
Capstans and windlasses both perform the same function, to provide more force to a line, wire, or chain than merely hauling on it will provide.
A capstan is mounted vertically. A line can be secured to the capstan, or wrapped several times and “tailed” off the capstan as it is turned. Old-timey capstans were turned by many men who pushed on wooden bars to turn the capstan on its axle. Modern capstans are powered by electric or other motors, pneumatics (air), or hydraulics. Many are geared to change the direction of the force. Many sailboats have winches that are small capstans powered by a hand crank to tighten sheets of the sails.
A windlass is mounted horizontally. Again, a line or chain can be secured to the windlass, or wrapped several times and “tailed” off the windlass as it is turned. A windlass for the anchor chain, with sockets in which the chain rides, is a good modern example, with the anchor chain falling into the anchor locker. Again, there are several power sources and gearing options. Often, the halyard winches on sailboats are small windlasses.