How Anchors Work

From top to bottom the structure is the anchor release buckle, bolt, anchor rod, anchor shank, anchor wrist, and the symmetrical part on both sides is called the anchor claw. The anchor claw is the most important part of the anchor that grabs into the mud. When the ship anchors, the anchor sinks to the bottom of the water under the traction of the anchor chain. At the bottom of the water, due to the action of the anchor rods, the plane of the anchor wrist will be perpendicular to the bottom of the water, and then the anchor claw will be in contact with the bottom of the water.

Ship's anchor chain length is often greater than the depth of the water, so in the underwater part of the anchor chain is in a flat state, when the ship receives disturbances (such as top wave) anchor chain will be pulled, the anchor in the bottom of the anchor chain at the connection will be subjected to a horizontal force, and at the same time the anchor of the anchor's own gravity on the anchor claw and the bottom of the contact point (point C in the figure), the two force synthesis makes the anchor to the slanting downward movement, which is the process of the anchor into the ground. Once the anchor is pulled into the water, it provides the ship with the ability to moor. It should be noted that this ability is not only accomplished by an anchor, but also by a very long anchor chain which also plays an important role.