Anchoring equipment, also known as mooring equipment, is a general term for a ship's anchor, anchor chain, anchor winch, and related auxiliary equipment. Specifically, it consists of the anchor, anchor chain, anchor chain canister, chain stopper (chain restrainer), anchor winch, and auxiliary equipment such as anchor chain tube, anchor chain locker, and chain release device.
After a ship drops anchor, external forces drag the anchor and anchor chain, causing the anchor claws to gradually grip the seabed. When the anchor is firmly anchored, and the external forces acting on the ship's hull are balanced with the holding force generated by the anchor and anchor chain, the ship is moored.
Anchoring equipment is characterized by a high holding-to-weight ratio and strong seabed penetration. Some types of anchors (such as boltless anchors) are often used at the bow due to their ease of storage.
