Marine Anchor

Ship anchors are essential equipment for fixing the position of a ship when it is anchored on the water surface. They come in a variety of types and materials to adapt to different marine environments and operational needs. Here is a brief introduction to the types and materials of ship anchors:

Types of Ship Anchors

1. Stockless Anchors: Also known as Navy anchors, they are characterized by having a crossbar connecting two flukes, providing a large holding power but are inconvenient to stow. They are mostly used on small vessels or sailing boats. Common types include the Navy anchor, single fluke anchor, Foshan anchor, and Japanese stockless anchor.

2. Fluke Anchors: The flukes and shank can rotate relative to each other by a certain angle, without a crossbar. When in use, both flukes bite into the ground at the same time, making it convenient for anchoring and stowing. They are the most widely used. Representative types include the霍尔锚 (Huo Anchor) and Spade anchor.

3. High Holding Power Anchors: The flukes are wide and can rotate by a certain angle, with a protruding rod on the crown or in the middle of the fluke for stabilization. Due to the large area of the flukes biting into the soil, the holding power is great, suitable for sandy or soft soil bottoms. Main types include the Danforth anchor, Bruce anchor, and yacht anchor.

4. Special Purpose Anchors: Different in shape from general anchors, such as mushroom anchors, with a mushroom-shaped or umbrella-shaped crown, biting deep into the soil, providing a large holding power, not easy to move, mostly used for long-term anchoring and positioning, such as for lightships, buoys, floating docks, and other fixed anchoring.

Materials of Ship Anchors

Ship anchors are usually made of cast steel or forged steel to ensure their strength and durability. Modern anchor design and manufacturing take into account corrosion resistance, resistance to seawater erosion, the ability to operate stably in harsh marine environments, and compliance with relevant international and domestic standards.

• Cast Steel Anchors: Made through casting processes, offering good integrity and impact resistance.

• Forged Steel Anchors: Made through forging processes, offering higher strength and toughness.

In addition, there are anchors made of special materials, such as stainless steel anchors, used in specific environments to improve corrosion resistance.

When selecting a ship anchor, it is necessary to consider the ship's purpose, size, the seabed conditions of the sailing waters, and the expected anchoring requirements. Different types of anchors have different holding power and stability under different seabed conditions, so these factors need to be considered comprehensively in the design and selection process.