How To Drop Anchor On A Yacht | Super Yacht Deckhand Duties
Looking for that first position on deck and wondering exactly what the job will entail? Then you've come to the right place! This super yacht deckhand duties series should give you all the information you need. Something missing? Please let me know in the comments section below and I'll try to cover it in future episodes.
Today we're looking at how to drop anchor on a yacht. There is a lot of information to cover here, especially when it comes to safety. The danger of the equipment and forces involved with anchoring a motor yacht cannot be underestimated, so you’ll want to pay close attention.
For your very own copy of the COLREGS referred to in this video, please use the following link:
assets.publishing.service.gov...
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Thank you for watching!
I can't believe you have ridiculously low number of subscribers. Your video are so well made, informative and useful. Keep on doing what you do! You help a lot of people and it will be rewarded!
Hi Valkor. I am so pleased to hear that you think this. 170 subscribers is tiny relative to the rest of KZhead, but I am nevertheless very happy with the support I have received from you and others in the comments. It is my hope that the channel will continue to grow so that others may be able to benefit from all that I have learnt and follow in my footsteps if they wish.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht update 2023 You've got 12K subs 👍 Keep Doing Matthew ✊
Simple straight forward 👍 and yet leaves me knowing there is soo much more to learn... 🙏💪🌞✌️
This information is so useful for both rokies and expirianced deckees. I never ever got explained this far in detail especially in what if's situations. Thank you so much! I would love to work with someone like you who has this much of patience and calmness to give clear instructions. I think this comes from experience and confidence but especially if you love what you're doing anyway you wouldn't make all this videos for us. Thanks cap!
Fantastic info and fantastic clear and precise teacher. I have learnt so much from you and still learning. I think at nearly 58 years old, a possible life at sea has passed me by, but I still have the eagerness to learn. If I could go back in time, I would start as a deckhand and work my arse of for years until I got that first promotion. I had this opportunity as a youngster even though I lived middle England. You may say that anywhere in England, you're only ever a 1 hours drive to the nearest beach. My move to start work as a deckhand could have, would have been a possibility. I ended up being an apprentice electrician for four years and theft all that behind to le a London Motorcycle Despatch Rider. Why? Because of the extremely high wages (danger money I suppose) and one you get regular good money, it's so hard to break away from it. I still regret that decision. I'm still learning but out of interest only. Absolutely brilliant information that reminds me of one of the many choices I could have taken as a youngster. Thank you.
Thank you! I really appreciate you sharing your story; it's a great help for others in the community. I too have tried many other occupations. I sometimes wonder what life might have been like if I took a different route!
i like this video very much because you explain the whole process of lowering the anchor and you filming in the same time.
Great video as always!
Want to start yachting this med-season and your videos are helping me a lot! Thanks bud
Learn something new every day!!
Excellent
Thank you so much!!!
Thank you so much for making this videos, you're true legend, doing it for seek of others to learn
Man, thank you so much for the video. Honestly the best content for yacht. You are the only one that explains the basics so well. Waiting for contents about docking) Cheers from Brazil!
Thanks Caio! It's really encouraging to hear that you think so much of the channel.
Iam excited and confident to work in a yacht sir bcause youy video enlighten me more about the work their in yacht...
I'm glad I've found this channel, you're doing amazing job! It's now my next season as a deckie (after being a stew) so I'm not totally green already, but find a lot of useful and new things for myself. Thanks for sharing the channel in AYC group, when I meet greenies dockwalkers I usually recommend to watch your channel as well 😁 Just interested, how long have you worked in the industry already and what's your current position onboard? ⛵
Good one cheers from Sanya Hainan China
Hi thank you for this helpful and very thorough video. I'm still slightly green and am not confident with anchoring- this is all quite helpful. One question though: what about bringing the anchor back in?
As a Powerboat Instructor, and anchoring geek, I find the super scaled up process very interesting to watch. Especially the “shackles” measurement as opposed to the leisure world of “metres”. Great videos and although no intent to crew on super yachts you’ve got another subscriber 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you, Phil B. I really appreciate your kind feedback.
Just subscribed to your channel. Amazing content. Thank you for taking the time to share this information. I have recently obtained my HNC in Nautical Science and am looking to get in to yachting.
Thanks Christopher! It's great to hear that you're enjoying the videos. Congratulations on gaining the HNC!
Amazing, Thank you.
Thanks JJ, I appreciate the feedback.
Thanks for the solid information!! Explained like a boss!! Keep it coming! Subscribed!
Thank you Gio and welcome to the channel!
Thank you very much for this upload, subscribed! Is there any onboard etiquette that we should know before boarding a new yacht? How to address new captain, what your first day(s) is normally/could be like etc...
Hello Sven. Thank you for the sub and welcome to the channel. Your questions have given me a great idea for another video! But to answer them for you now, the Captain can at first be addressed as Captain. He/she will then introduce themselves by name if they are happy for you to use it. In my experience, every Captain that I have worked for has been happy to be called by their first name, but you're right not to presume this. When you first join the yacht, remember that this is not just a workplace but also a home. I'd suggest you behave at first as if you were a guest in somebody else's house. You'll then quickly learn how they like things done and very soon it will be just like home for you too. The first few days on board are very busy getting you familiarised with the yacht, it's safety equipment and the equipment specific to your job role. There will be a lot of information for you to take in, so you'll need to be fresh and alert. Ask lots of questions, take lots of notes and let them see that they've made the right choice in hiring you for the position. Wishing you every success and thank you again.
I am honestly so glad your channel came up in my recommended. Your videos are amazing and you’re fantastic at talking to the camera/viewer! I used to want to work on a yacht/super yacht, but my plans have changed to becoming a helicopter pilot. My passion for boating however has never gone away and so I’m fascinated by the duties and jobs onboard. This might be a silly or rubbish question, but when does it go from being a windlass to a capstan? Also I love to ask this question, if you were a billionaire and were wanting to build a yacht, what would it be like? Would it be a motor yacht or sailing yacht? How big would it be? What style might you go for, e.g. explorer or traditional white painted med-cruiser? What toys might you have onboard? Thank you for the great content!
Hello Henry, and thank you for your kind feedback on the channel. From yacht crew to helicopter pilot is an exciting career change! Have you landed a helicopter on board a yacht yet? Your question isn't silly at all! The terms seem to be used interchangeably, but technically speaking a capstan rotates around a vertical axis, and a windlass rotates around a horizontal axis. If I were to have a yacht it would be an explorer style, with an ice class hull. About 50 metres in length, and I'd be more interested in ROVs and submarines than the more traditional water toys. How about you?!
Iogogigt
I've just started watching your videos and its fascinating to see how things differ between a small and a large yacht. But one question on anchoring - bearing in mind the risks of running out the chain too quickly and loosing control, why do you disengage the capstan. Why not let out the anchor and all the required chain under control with the remote?
Hello Martin, and welcome to the channel. I have worked on a yacht before now where the procedure was to always lower the anchor on the capstan. The problem with doing that on this particular yacht is that the capstan only has one, slow speed. Trying to set an anchor like this is not only time-consuming, but also very inaccurate. It would require the Captain to hold station perfectly for a prolonged period in order to place the anchor at the chosen spot on the seabed. While this may be possible in perfect conditions, in difficult conditions it's almost impossible, even with a second, higher speed. Done properly, dropping an anchor on the brake alone is very safe, and I would suggest that it is the preferred method in terms of efficiency and accuracy. Thank you for raising this point, and I hope you continue to find the videos interesting.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Many thanks for the rapid and comprehensive response, I can now see the logic. I'm working my way through your videos and certainly finding them interesting. I love the practical nature and sheer detail of your content.
@Martin Thomas Thank you for this great feedback. I really appreciate it.
your videos are amazing wish i found this before i did my master of yachts and edh haaha
Thank you, Chayce. I'm happy to hear that you've found them useful. Which OOW courses are you planning to do next?
@@WorkonaSuperyacht gonna start cracking out my modules so in 2 years should be oow 3000gt . I hope to learn as much as I can during this time .
@Chayce Nell Sounds like a plan! I wish you all the best with your courses and exams.
Thank you so much! Another great video!! I would like to ask you, to let out extra chain you say you'd desengage the capstain, is there a reason you wouldn't use it to let out say 20m? Thanks once again!! :)
Hi Lucia. How is your first season going? You're absolutely right, there is no reason why you couldn't just walk out an additional 20 metres of chain on the capstan. Indeed the procedure on some yachts is to always use the capstan and never let it run freely. This of course works when conditions are good and you have plenty of time; but, if you need to do things more quickly or there is a lot of weight on the chain which you wouldn't want to transfer to the capstan, then letting out on the brake might be preferable. Every situation is different and alternative methods are sometimes required. Your role on deck is to understand how the equipment works so that you can always use it in the most appropriate manner. The fact you have asked this question demonstrates a very good understanding. Thank you for pointing it out and starting the discussion.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thank you for the explanation! Indeed understanding the equipment is essential for making the best use of it, I can see now why conditions would affect this choice. I really appreciate how thorough you are. How lucky your deckhand/s must be for having you as their mentor! My first season is going very well thank you, steep learning curve but really enjoying the challenge! Keep your videos coming :)
@Lúcia Pinto You're welcome! Glad to hear that your first season is going so well. As a new KZhead channel, your support and encouragement is invaluable. Thank you.
Thank you so much! i'm a big fan of your channel. I like your recomendation for wearing shoes... Which document states that??? I've asked in FB groups and here are the answers, however it's hard to navigate those docs to find it. Could you be specific please? thank you again!! ISM code, chapter 7. For boats +500 GT. MLC with reg4.3 is giving each flag state the directions for min ppe. iso 20347:2012 is the minimum requirement for occupational anti- slippery shoes. COSWP rules and regulations on PPE.
Thanks for supporting the channel! Of all the documents that you’ve listed, COSWOP is probably the best for anything related to clothing, footwear, and PPE. You can download a copy from the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-safe-working-practices-for-merchant-seafarers-coswp-amendment-7-2022 Here is a paragraph from page 116: Footwear 8.9.2 Foot injuries most often result from the wearing of unsuitable footwear (e.g. sandals, plimsolls and flip-flops) rather than from failure to wear safety shoes and boots. It is nevertheless strongly advisable that all personnel whilst at work on board ship wear appropriate safety footwear. And again on page 406: 6.2 Anchoring and weighing anchor 26.2.1 Before using an anchor, a competent seafarer must check that the brake is securely on and then clear all securing devices. A responsible person must be put in charge of the anchoring party, with a suitable means of communication with the vessel’s bridge. The anchoring party should wear protective clothing, including safety helmet, safety shoes, gloves and goggles, to protect from injury by rust particles and debris that may be thrown off the cable during the operation. Search the document for “shoes” and you’ll find more instructions of needing to wear suitable footwear.
Another Great tips Matt! Question: What type of radio do you use for communicating with other crew and what brand are they. God bless!
Thank you, Blue Ocean. The radios we use are of the UHF type. The brand is Icom, which in my experience is typical of most superyachts. Another well known brand in the space is Motorola.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thanks Matt! May I know what model of Icon do you use? it seems looks handy and small, I guess we might need to buy the same one for our boat. Sorry for asking so many questions :)
@Blue Ocean Icom IC-F62D UHF. They're good little radios. As you say, nice and compact.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thank you so much Matt! really appreciate it :)
@Blue Ocean Always happy to help!
Do you use a bridle line or do you keep the load on the capstan ?
I've used a snubber line on previous yachts. This was mainly because they had a bulbous bow, and the chain used to scrape along the bulb as the yacht swung. This yacht doesn't have a bulbous bow, and as such there has rarely been any need for a snubber line. Having said that, the weight of the anchor is only left on the brake, and not on the actual motor of the capstan. If the anchors had a guillotine, it would be my preference to leave the weight there, using the brake of the capstan as a backup.
Thanks for an excellent tutorial. I'm.52 years old some.yachting experience. Am.i too.old to re enter the industry? TIA
Thank you, Kevin. If you have the qualifications to enter at a more senior level (Captain or Deck Officer), then it might not be too late!
hi, ive got a question! do you know of any apprenticeships for 16 year olds to get into yachting before 18, and also how often do you get days like you see on youtube where the crew get time to swim and use the water toys/explore the area they are in?? thanks in advance!
Hello again Sam. There are no apprenticeships specific to yachts at this age. However, you could do an apprenticeship that would give you some transferable skills. For example, if you want to work on deck then carpentry is a very desirable skill; if you're interested in engineering then plumbing or electrical would be a great start; and, for the interior or galley departments, a job working in high end hospitality is highly recommended. Regardless of department, an interest in any watersports would be a great bonus and certification through the RYA is possible at your age. The STCW courses can also be done before you're 18, but I wouldn't recommend doing them until a little closer to your 18th birthday. Finally, check out the possibility of doing a cadetship if you're interested in either the deck or engineering departments. I have a video coming up very soon on why this would be useful. You wouldn't be able to start this until you're 18, but you could certainly start researching what they look for when deciding who to sponsor, and start making yourself into the perfect candidate! I am always excited to hear from those who want to get into yachting straight out of school. It's a great career and if you start early then you have a chance to do really well for yourself. Please keep me posted and let me know if you need any further information.
@sam ingram To answer your question about swimming and using the water toys, this depends entirely on the yacht. Whilst at anchor, some crew are able to swim around the yacht daily before they start their duties, and even use the tender to go wakeboarding or water skiing. Other yachts only allow this during crew watersports days, in order to test the equipment before the season starts. And some yachts may not allow any of the above!
@@WorkonaSuperyacht thanks a lot, this is really useful information that i struggled to find elsewhere! i will look into this and get back to you if i have any further questions. thanks!
@sam ingram You're welcome!
Hello mate I'm currently 28 am really thinking about buying a deckhand course and start a career but i just have a quick question, in regards to after i complete my course and gain the qualifications i need, whats the best way to secure a first job and also are there any specific months of the year that employers recruit? also i've been watching your videos for the past week great videos mate, i'm just trying to decide wether to actually buy the course and just go for it, i'm from the UK,Liverpool hope to hear back from you mate.
Hello Lonely Gamer and welcome to the channel. Out of interest, what does the deckhand course that you are considering consist of? As for finding that first job once you have all of the required certification, the best option is to head to one of the major yachting hubs such as Antibes, Palma or Fort Lauderdale. Here you can start building relationships with yacht crew agencies, getting some day work and yacht specific experience to add to your CV, walking the docks looking for work (not in the USA considering you are from the UK); and, with persistence and patience that first job will eventually materialise. Yachts recruit crew all year round but the best opportunity for those new to the industry is at the beginning of a season. The Mediterranean season is now coming to an end and 12 months ago, taking your job search to the USA for the beginning of the Caribbean season would have been a great option. However, travel restrictions this year mean it might not be possible. It may seem like a long time to wait until next April/May to head down to the Mediterranean for the start of the summer 2021 season, but it may well be the best option. The time between then and now can still be well spent in preparation; and, you can still sign up online with yacht crew agencies, as there is always the possibility that a first job can come to you in that way.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht hello mate thanks for getting back to me, so the deckhand course is with flying fish but it's a 2week course and I gain all the certificates I need to apply for jobs but I don't really want to go to yachting hubs as I simply won't be able to afford staying there but I wasn't thinking about starting my course untill next year maybe in April as I want to get my fitness up first, I've been looking on yacht crew website's and I've noticed there are junior deckhand jobs available who don't ask for experience and they are also permanent positions aswell an I'd rather start right at the bottom and work my way up the ranks, so I won't be starting my career untill maybe next year, I also noticed alot of website's asking for deckhand jobs for the start of September, I need to ask after I apply for a job how does it work exactly? Do I pay for my travel to get to the boat or do they pay? I don't want want to rush into anything hense why am giving myself about a year to prep myself an get everything I need, sorry for the lengthy message btw but I figured you'd be the best person to speak to 😎
Would you say having a SCTW and ENG1 is enough to land a job as a junior deckhand? An quite possibly a PB2, the 2 week course is about 2bhalf grand and I don't really think I should pay for something like that starting off anyway, I can easily obtain my SCTW and ENG1 tho in the next couple of months, an maybe wait till next augest untill I start applying for jobs
@Lonely Gamer If you are offered a job then the yacht should pay for your travel to join them. For the sake of convenience, some yachts will ask that you arrange your own travel and then reimburse you on arrival. If this is the case then ensure that you have something official from the yacht stating their intention to employ you; there have been cases of people being offered jobs, paying money out of their own pocket to get there, only to find that the job offer wasn't legitimate. It is therefore often better if the yacht organises your travel; this should be from door to door so it is important to keep receipts for things like bus or train tickets that get you to and from the airport. These more minor costs should then be reimbursed on arrival.
@Lonely Gamer For a junior deckhand position, as a minimum I would suggest the STCW courses and ENG1 (which are of course mandatory), plus Powerboat Level 2. The PWC proficiency course and (if you have some experience) the PWC instructor course would be a great addition, if you can afford it; yachts must now run their jetski operations as a recognised training centre, so you will be of much more value to them if qualified in this respect. For a junior deckhand, I would say that this is sufficient. Professional experience (that shows your suitability as a member of deck crew), skills and interests in various watersports and even a B1/B2 visa (if you can manage to get one) will be far more valuable to you than additional courses at this stage.
What’s the reason that there is a rule that requires an anchor ball to be hung? And I noticed your balls, I mean ball as in anchor ball, is different than others I’ve seen. The other is I’ve seen kind of look like a radar reflector.
Great question! As per Rule 30 of MSN 1781 (The COLREGs), the ball indicates that the vessel is at anchor. This is important because it tells other vessels that she is made fast to the seabed and is unable to manoeuvre to avoid collision. As a result, other vessels should keep clear. By contrast, if she were not at anchor then she may be required to take action to avoid collision with another vessel. Annex I of the same regulations tells us that any shape (including diamonds, cones and cylinders) must be black and a ball must have a diameter of not less than 0.6 metres. Our ball is made of a black net and frame, but you could also have an inflatable black ball, or two circular pieces that when slotted together form a sphere.
Your sound is barely audible, cliip a mic to your T may help
Hello Larry. Thank you for the tip. I bought a shotgun microphone since filming this video, but a lav microphone would certainly be beneficial for certain scenarios.