GROUND TACKLE

Ground tackle is all equipment used in anchoringand mooring with anchors and buoy mooring with chain and appendages. The following are defined as groundtackle: Anchors, Anchor chain, wire rope, synthetic line, or combinations of these materials, when used with anchors. Appendages consisting of connecting shackles or links, detachable links, pear-shaped links, end links, bending shackles, mooring shackles, mooring swivels, detachable-link tool sets, clear hawse pendants, dip ropes, chain stoppers, wrenches for chain stoppers, outboard swivel shots, chain cable jacks, mooring hooks, chain hooks, anchor bars, and anchor buoys.

Ground tackle is one of the most vital parts of a ship's equipment. The vessel's safety frequently depends upon the proper use of this gear. The anchor windlass, equipped with capstan head or gypsy heads, is a part of the ship's ability to handle its ground tackle and use the capstan or gypsy heads in mooring and warping operations.

SHIPS ANCHORS

All anchors are designed to take hold as quickly as possible after they hit bottom. They take hold in one of two ways: either by hooking into the ground with one or both of their sharp flukes or by burying themselves completely. When an anchor is let go in fairly deep water, it strikes the bottom crown first

.

From this position, any drag on the chain causes the flukes, if properly set, to dig into the bottom. As the drag continues, the fluke is forced further into the bottom. If the proper scope of chain is used, the heavier the drag, the deeper the fluke will dig in, developing the full holding power of the anchor.

CHAIN AND WIRE ROPE CABLES

Chain, wire rope cables, or cable composed of both chain and wire rope for use with ships' anchors is a part of the ship's ground tackle. Ground tackle

is the term applied to all equipment used in anchoring. It includes the anchors, their chain or cables,

connecting fittings, and all associated equipment used in anchoring, mooring with anchors, buoy mooring, being towed, or securing or letting go anchors in or from their hawsepipes.