What types of anchors are there?
Release time:
2019-03-15
There are many types of anchors. Depending on their structure and intended use, they can be categorized into shank-type anchors, stockless anchors, high-hold anchors, and special-purpose anchors. On merchant vessels, the stockless anchor is primarily used as the bow anchor, while the stern anchor sometimes employs either a shank-type anchor or a fluke anchor. 1. Shank-Type Anchors: Also known as naval anchors, these were among the earliest types of anchors. They feature a simple design, boast a high holding power-to-weight ratio, and offer good stability when set on the seabed. However, they are less convenient to deploy and retrieve. The upward-curving anchor flukes tend to become entangled with the anchor chain and may even damage the ship’s hull. As such, shank-type anchors are not typically used as bow anchors on merchant vessels; instead, they are generally reserved for smaller boats or sailing vessels. 2. Stockless Anchors: Also referred to as "mountain-shaped" anchors, the most common types include the Hall anchor and the Danforth anchor. These are classified as active-fluke anchors.
There are many types of anchors. Depending on their structure and intended use, they can be classified into shank-type anchors, stockless anchors, high-hold anchors, and special-purpose anchors. Merchant ships primarily use stockless anchors as their bow anchors, while stern anchors sometimes employ shank-type anchors and fluke anchors.
1. Stockless anchor: Also known as the Navy anchor, this type of anchor is an early design and is often referred to as the Navy anchor. It features a simple structure, a high holding power-to-weight ratio, and good stability when set on the seabed. However, it is less convenient for anchoring operations and retrieval. The upward-curving flukes tend to become entangled with the anchor chain and can easily damage the hull of the vessel. As such, this type of anchor is not well-suited for use as the primary anchor on commercial ships; it is typically employed on smaller boats or sailboats.
2. Rodless anchor: Also known as the "mountain-shaped anchor," common types include the Hall anchor and the S-bend anchor. These are rodless anchors with movable flukes (which can pivot forward and backward along the anchor shank by approximately 45°). In a rodless anchor, the anchor shank and the anchor arm are cast separately. The flukes, anchor crown, and anchor arm are cast as a single unit. The anchor shank is inserted into a rectangular opening in the anchor crown and secured in place by a pin shaft and a cross pin that fit into two semicircular recesses at the lower part of the anchor crown, thereby enabling the anchor shank to rotate freely.
3. High-Performance Anchor: The high-performance anchor combines the advantages of both rod-type and rodless anchors and is typically a swivel-fluke anchor with a shank. Commonly used types include the Mariner anchor and the Danforth anchor (also known as the "dovetail anchor"). The Danforth anchor is characterized by wide, long flukes that penetrate deeply into the seabed, providing excellent stability and thus achieving a high holding power—its weight-to-holding-power ratio can reach 11 to 17 times its own weight. However, its flukes are relatively weak and prone to deformation. Moreover, due to its substantial resistance when being hauled out of the water, it is generally suitable only for engineering vessels; some are also used as standby anchors or stern anchors. Jiangsu Aohai Anchor Chain has been professionally engaged in the R&D and production of ship anchors—including Hall anchors, Spade anchors, naval anchors, and high-performance anchors—for 18 years.
4. Special anchors are anchors designed for specific purposes. They are commonly used for permanent mooring of floating structures such as pontoons, buoys, light vessels, floating docks, and floating piers. These include single-fluke anchors, screw anchors, and mushroom anchors, among others.
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