Whew! That was close!

[Sailor647]

Originally Posted by boat driver

I am not sure of the location conditions of the anchorage,

Banderas Bay (La Cruz, Mexico): Looking at the beaches and the marina's piled dredge material, the bottom in this area is sand and rocks (not mud,) in case that influences anyone's opinion.

We didn't dive on our anchor here because the water quality is fairly green and murky, so there may be a layer of biomass on the bottom. The rest of the anchorages in the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Baja that we have anchored in are all sand. We could easily see our anchor from the boat in 20-25 feet of gorgeous clear, clear water in most of the anchorages. We both scuba, so anytime we were in the water, the anchor position and holding was checked.

[Sailor647]

Originally Posted by Fuss

As the problem happened within 2 weeks, can you pull the anchor in 1 week and send us the photos and then the same again in 2 weeks, but try to re-anchor in the original place causing the problem each time.

Absolutely not! LOL I'm not inclined to stand watch 24/7 for the next two weeks waiting for the chain to give way - even IF you offer to pay for repairs to our boat and the others we'd surely smack on the way to the beach.

I will, however, report back if it happens again. From a different location, a different anchorage, etc.

[maelduin]

Fascinating post. Here is an article that some may enjoy reading concerning current producing microbes. Electrical microbes protect coastal areas from toxic nightmare | Microbial Electricity

[alansmith]

I agree that is freaky. RBK... that is very interesting. Do you have any sources that you can give us so I can read up on this ? Who would have thought?
That link looks like it was just dropped away. Blows my mind.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Sailor647

Absolutely not! LOL I'm not inclined to stand watch 24/7 for the next two weeks waiting for the chain to give way - even IF you offer to pay for repairs to our boat and the others we'd surely smack on the way to the beach.

I will, however, report back if it happens again. From a different location, a different anchorage, etc.

Aww, c'mon ! Where's your sense of adventure ! lolol

[Fuss]

It maybe would help save the next sailor from a similar experience and maybe save his and other boats from a similar disaster.

[boat driver]

as I suggested- take an anchor (or your now spare) and attach to a buoy in the same place.

This risks only the five links and proves a point.

For obvious reasons this does not remotely suggest putting a vessel on the mooring.

[rbk]

Originally Posted by alansmith

I agree that is freaky. RBK... that is very interesting. Do you have any sources that you can give us so I can read up on this ? Who would have thought?
That link looks like it was just dropped away. Blows my mind.

I noticed it for years when pulling up clumps of fine dark grey mud; the mud would fall off and the underlaying metal would be black. I think I finally read about it in Charlie’s Charts or some other guide book. I remember the book was specific to an anchorage we were staying in but have noticed it many other places mostly but not limited to north of Wrangle. Not sure if it’s a glacial sediment, low oxygen, microbe thing but looking it appears to be deeper in the mud as the tips of the flukes are the darkest and gets lighter higher up. Most of this comes after an evening on the hook and haven’t noticed it setting a lunch hook or likewise.

[a64pilot]

Just in case it was stray current, I’d get into the habit or always having the windlass CB Open, except of course when your using it.

[David B]

Originally Posted by toddster8

That kind of corrosion in two weeks seems astounding! But I'd offer another theory - bacterial metabolism in anoxic sediment. The theory is a bit much to go into in a quick post, but essentially, given the right kind of muck layer, the microbes make the sediment/water interface into a big battery. Your chain might be just what it takes for current to flow. And lots of microbes love to munch on iron.

I was wondering about that too. Anaerobic mud can be an issue.

[senormechanico]

(tongue in cheek)
Maybe instead of carrying around solar panels, we could deploy an anchor and a plate to lay on the surface of the bottom. Connect the two to a buck/boost device to run the boat's electrical ! Voila ! Free energy. Whod'a thunk?

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

(tongue in cheek)
Maybe instead of carrying around solar panels, we could deploy an anchor and a plate to lay on the surface of the bottom. Connect the two to a buck/boost device to run the boat's electrical ! Voila ! Free energy. Whod'a thunk?

Very creative. It will be funny if in 20 years we do exactly that!