What is anchor?
An anchor is a heavy device, typically made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or current.

Purpose
‣To Hold the Vessel in Place
It secures the ship in a fixed location, especially when it is not at a dock or port.

‣To Prevent Drifting
It stops the vessel from being carried away by wind, waves, or currents.

‣To Provide Safety in Emergencies
In case of engine failure or rough weather, the anchor helps prevent the ship from drifting into danger.

‣To Assist in Positioning During Operations
Useful for activities like dredging, diving, or repairs where stability is essential.

1. Fluke Anchor (Danforth)
The Fluke anchor, also known as the Danforth anchor, is a lightweight, high-holding power anchor designed with two wide flat flukes that pivot on a shank.

Purpose:
It is ideal for anchoring in sandy or muddy bottoms, where its broad flukes can dig in deeply and hold firmly.

Key Features:
‣Made of high-strength steel or aluminum
‣Lightweight and easy to handle
‣Excellent holding power relative to its weight
‣Commonly used on smaller vessels, yachts, and recreational boats

2. Plow Anchor (CQR)
The Plow Anchor, commonly known as the CQR anchor (short for Coastal Quick Release), features a single plow-shaped fluke that pivots on a shank, resembling a farmer’s plow.

Purpose:
Designed to penetrate and bury itself in a variety of seabeds, it is widely used for general-purpose anchoring, especially in changing conditions

Key Features:
‣Heavy-duty forged or cast steel construction
‣Hinged design allows it to adapt to shifting loads
‣Performs well in sand, mud, gravel, and some grassy bottoms
‣Often seen on cruising and commercial vessels

3. Bruce Anchor
The Bruce anchor, also known as the Claw anchor, is a one-piece anchor with a claw-like shape designed to dig into the seabed and provide steady holding power.

Purpose:
Developed originally for offshore oil rigs, the Bruce anchor is now popular for small to medium recreational boats due to its reliable setting and holding capabilities.

Key Features:
‣Made from forged or cast steel
‣One-piece construction with no moving parts
‣Performs well in sand, mud, and some rocky bottoms
‣Commonly used by cruising yachts and powerboats

4. DELTA Anchor
The Delta anchor is a plow-type anchor with a fixed shank and a streamlined, triangular shape. It is often considered a modern alternative to the traditional CQR (hinged plow) anchor.

Purpose:
Designed for reliable performance in a wide range of seabed conditions, the Delta anchor is widely used on both recreational and commercial vessels.

Key Features:
‣Made from high-grade steel or stainless steel
‣Fixed-shank design (non-hinged) for strength and consistency
‣Performs well in sand, mud, and gravel
‣Self-launching and compatible with most bow rollers

5. Mushroom Anchor
The Mushroom anchor is named for its shape, which resembles an upside-down mushroom. It is designed to bury itself in soft seabeds and relies on suction and weight for holding power.

Purpose:
Primarily used for permanent moorings, such as for buoys, mooring balls, or long-term anchorage of floating platforms and smaller vessels in calm waters.

Key Features:
‣Bell or dome-shaped head with a wide base
‣Made of cast iron or concrete-coated steel
‣Most effective in soft mud or silt bottoms
‣Holding power increases over time as it becomes embedded

6. Stockless Anchor
The Stockless anchor is a heavy-duty anchor widely used on large commercial and naval vessels. It features two pivoting flukes and a solid shank without a stock, making it easy to handle and stow in hawse pipes.

Purpose:
Designed for quick deployment and retrieval, it is ideal for large ships that need a strong, versatile anchor that functions well in varied seabed conditions.

Key Features:
‣Made of forged steel, often weighing several tons
‣Flukes pivot on a central shank
‣Easily stored in anchor pockets or hawse pipes
‣Performs adequately in most seabeds (mud, sand, clay)