Does anybody know what "sit on anchor" mean?

Question

In case a ship is grounded, ship's Captain should consider the possibility of having the ship "sit on anchor".

I don't have a clue about this and would be grateful if anyone "expert" in this subject could explain to me what "sit on anchor" means. Thanks!!!

Answer 1

hi there,

sit on anchor means just that. too sit at sea or wherever you are with your anchor down, some fishermen sit on anchor when they have found a good spot to fish. some drift fish which means they drift with the currents.

In the case of a ship being grounded the captain should consider "sit on anchor" that just means he should think about not doing anything as it may make the situation worse. if he sits there the tide or rising current may help to re-float the ship.

hope this helps.

j

Answer 2

You have the answer.  It means to sit and wait and do nothing, to let things take their course.  Often the term "sit at anchor" is used when cruisers are anchored in one spot for a while.

Answer 3

Done...Paul, Imaka and Priest are correct.

Alternately...

Sit at anchor

Lay at anchor

And I actually sat on a deck mounted anchor once by accident...not comfy.

Answer 4

Quite literally it means "do nothing"

Answer 5

means building something on a strong base...

Answer 6

"sitting at anchor", means just spending time on the boat when it's anchored.   However when I Iook at the context of the statement you quoted, it seems clear this is not what the prerson is refering to when they say "sit on anchor".  I think the person is refering to the idea of simply putting the anchor out in the direction of the incoming tide, current or wind and tightening the line so as to prevent the boat from being pushed into shallower water as the tide rises, but hold it in place causing it to float up in the same place with an incoming tide.

It's also possible the person is refering to the technique commonly known as kedging off which uses the boat's anchor in attempt to get the boat floating again after a grounding.  There are a few ways to go about this.

1. Set the anchor either ahead or behind the boat and and use a winch to pull the boat towards the anchor.     2.set the anchor off to one side of the boat and tie the anchor chain/rode to the the mainsheet (rope that holds up the sail) coming out of the top of the mast,   When the rope is winched in, it will cause the boat to heel, which  if a center keel boat will lessen the draft and possibly lift the boat off it's grounding.