Stop my anchor chain hawse pipe from leaking

[jr_spyder]

I think I have a pretty usual setup of an electric Lewmar windlass on deck with the chain going down into the chain locker on the bow through a hawse pipe. The pipe opening faces aft on the port side and is integrated into the windlass. This is essentially a hole on my bow that lets in loads of water when I'm taking waves over the bow.



To make matters worse my chain locker is not self draining. The incoming water washes through the chain into a channel along the bottom center of the boat and into a deep bilge aft. Then the bilge pump runs, and runs, etc.

Before I leave on a multi-day passage I tape up where the chain enters the hawse pipe to stop the water brigade. This works fine but I have to undo it all before I drop anchor - so this could be a problem in an emergency. On short passages I've tried stuffing a rag in/around the problem and have knocked down some of the inflow.

I really would like to find a better solution that could be engaged/disengaged quickly and safely (usually by my wife on the bow) when needed. As everyone knows waves crashing over the bow can be quite violent as they try to remove anything on the deck in their path. This has to be considered.

I'm stumped for a good idea. Has anyone solved this? Help!

Thanks