Surprisingly the only reason I'm awake is because the anchor drag alarm went off. We're in a fairly sheltered place in terms of 'sea' so Isabella isn't rocking about all that much, and we have the cabin pretty well sealed up because of the large number of flies, mosquitos and midges here, so it's not all that loud in bed. Outside it's a different matter - we just had 40 knots on the windometer.
Reason the anchor drag alarm went off is that in anticipation of this weather, I rowed out yesterday evening and dropped a second anchor. We've used two anchors a few times now to reduce the distance we swing when the wind/tide change direction, but this is the first time we've stuck out two working together. The theory is that two anchors put out with 45 degrees between the rope/chain between them will back each other up, each one reducing the strain on the other. The theory is fine if both anchors hold. Unfortunately our 25lb CQR (type of anchor) has clearly not held. Fortunately our 15kg Rocna has once again been solid as a rock.
This is about the 3rd time the CQR has dragged on us. The second time being the catalyst for the purchase of the rather expensive and large Rocna. A very wise purchase!
Here's a wee vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHwnYXFLG-U
Here's the two anchor ropes. Rocna on the left - 25m chain spliced to 30m 16mm nylon rope. CQR on the right - 15m chain spliced to 40m 14mm nylon rope.
