Anchoring and Moorage
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Island is exposed to changing
tidal currents, rip tides, ocean swells, surging channels and high winds. The weather and ocean currents merit having and equipping your vessel with a high
quality steel anchor.
The strength of an anchor when mooring off the coast is an important part to having a safe voyage. An anchor should be able to reel out 5 times the depth of the water. For example,
for 50 feet of water, a boater would want 250 feet reeled out.
This equation is a safe bet to ensure an anchor hooks and holds
properly.
For setting anchorage on the west coast it is important
to follow the tide tables. As the currents and wind shift so will your boat. It is vital to check the weather conditions and currents prior to sleep. Other factors to keep in mind is low and high tides. No one likes to wake up with there boat floating away
or moored on some rocks.
You know this.. but it is worth saying - anchors only work if they bury well. A dragging
anchor along the ocean floor does very little to avoid midnight
collisions. To ensure your are anchored well a safe rule of thumb to follow is to always back
up your boat before setting the hook.
Once set, the boater should shorten
up his line so you do not swing into another boat or roll onto rocks. An anchor takes hold over time by pulling and relaxing,
which is referred to as soaking.
When pulling into a marina, it is always important
to tie up all ropes to the docks. Use strong sailing knots, even
if only tied up for a short visit. The west coast tides have been
known to take boats for a ride with no captain on board.
Neighbouring BC Marine Regions
Haida Gwaii | North BC < North < Van. Isl. > East > Gulf Islands | Sunshine Coast
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Moorage