Anchoring system and chain stopper therefor

摘要

Disclosed is a chain stopper including a pair of side-by-side support plates pivotally connected to hanger plates which support the chain stopper from the vessel's structure. The support plates releasably engage about the anchor chain to support the anchor from the vessel's structure. To haul in the anchor line, the line is winched in such that the connection between the anchor cable and anchor chain lies above the chain stopper which is suspended from support structure on the vessel. The chain stopper is engaged about the anchor chain and the winch is relieved to transfer the weight of the anchor chain and anchor to the chain stopper. The anchor cable is then disconnected from the anchor chain. A secondary chain hanging from a wildcat is connected to the anchor chain and hauled in whereby the weight of the anchor chain and anchor is transferred from the chain stopper to the secondary chain and wildcat. The chain stopper is disconnected from the anchor chain and the anchor chain and anchor are hauled in by the wildcat and secured in the normal manner. To unship the anchor from the vessel, the foregoing described procedure is reversed.