Can an anchor be "environmentally friendly?:

[ssullivan]

Maybe I'm not seeing the big picture here, but how can a big hunk of metal that does absolutely nothing but dig into the ground be "environmentally friendly?"

It's like saying your hammer or shovel is environmentally friendly. I don't get it...

(Ad taken from the CF Google Ads. Keeping things even, I also saw a Rocna ad up there as well.)

[liberty16]

Wow that manson looks a lot like a rocna.

As for being environmentally friendly, I don't know. I wonder how they qualify that statement.

[Pblais]

Maybe I'm not seeing the big picture here, but how can a big hunk of metal that does absolutely nothing but dig into the ground be "environmentally friendly?"

Sorry, can't get there from here.

[maxingout]

The most environmentally friendly anchor would possibly be biodegradable, it would sit as a decoration on your desk where it would not wreak destruction on coral and on the sea bed, would not create environmental damage when you dig up the iron and zinc out of the ground to create the anchor, would require no energy to produce, and would not result in CO2 emissions from a factory during production. As far as I know, such an anchor does not exist.

The second most environmentally friendly anchor is one that never drags so that it minimizes damage to the sea bed, and never allows a yacht to wash up on the beach or reef where the yacht causes damage to the environment.

[ssullivan]

Originally Posted by maxingout

The second most environmentally friendly anchor is one that never drags so that it minimizes damage to the sea bed, and never allows a yacht to wash up on the beach or reef where the yacht causes damage to the environment.

You're a smart guy, Dave.

I think that might be it. I wasn't seeing that big picture. I wonder if that Manson guy will come on and explain the ad.

[maxingout]

Congratulations on your Catamaran.

My most environmentally friendly anchor is my 70 pound Beugel. I think it has superglue on it because it sticks to the bottom almost anywhere I put it unless there is rock or hard pan on the bottom.

My 60 pound CQR wasn't nearly as environmentally friendly as we dragged it a lot around the world. Fortunately, we never hit a reef or washed up on shore.

[Catamount]

It's environmentally friendly because it doesn't plow furrows all across the bottom like some other anchors do when you're trying to set them (or when you think they're set but they really not and you end up dragging across the anchorage a 0200). It also saves energy 'cause you don't have to turn on your deck lights in the middle of the night. That's environmentally friendly, right?

This is all assuming that this anchor sets and holds much better than some other anchors, of which I have no personal experience..

[craigsmith]

Originally Posted by liberty16

Wow that manson looks a lot like a rocna.

The "environmentally friendly" point is one we've used in the past. We've looked at endorsement from various 'green' organizations.

With a consistent fast set, and also generally not as much chain needed, when compared to plows and claws, we can claim much less damage done to the seabed.

The other element is the lack of lead in the tip, although hardly a unique feature.

In particular environments, these are valid issues.

[delmarrey]

Maybe it's "environmentally friendly" by plowing under the garbage on the bottom of the harbors.

[NoTies]

The lack of the rock slot on the Rocna is what makes it "green". ;-)

[craigsmith]

Here is some material outlining some solutions which provides an idea of the relevence of the issue:

• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority :: Blue Pearl Bay
• http://www.wiomsa.org/mpatoolkit/The..._and_buoys.pdf
• ScienceDirect - Marine Environmental Research : Short-term response of the slow growing seagrass Posidonia oceanica to simulated anchor impact

Just a few samples.

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Rocna:





Others:

[Pelagic]

Great Photos Craig, Thanks! I wish I could fit one of your anchors on my bow configuration!

[David M]

The only way I can figure whether or not it is environmentally friendly is where you lower it. Sand seems like it would be the most environmentally friendly unless you are a sand worm and it just went through your home.

[GordMay]

Helix Moorings:
Boatmoorings.com - Protecting the Marine World with Helix Anchors

Triple Helix Mooring pictured:

[Hud3]

The Nevis government recently installed 100 moorings similar to the ones shown in Gord's post. They cited environmental protection as one of the driving forces for the decision. Anchoring and even private moorings with chain were scouring the bottom, destroying the grasses that conch, small fishes, and other creatures enjoy. Anchoring is now verboten in Nevis.