Epic Navigator · video

What this video covers

Alexandros Retsinas demonstrates Mediterranean long-line anchoring step by step at Dokos Island, Greece, using a catamaran with a student crew member, Anastasia, at the helm.▶ 0:01 The procedure begins with a slow reconnaissance pass over the intended anchor spot to read depth, bottom composition, rocks, and underwater obstructions before dropping the anchor.▶ 0:48 The anchor is set in the shallowest part of the bay so the chain runs down into deeper water; the first attempt fails because the anchor lands too deep, requiring a reset.▶ 1:35 Once the anchor holds, the crew backs toward the quay or rock face, runs stern lines ashore, and tensions them using the windlass with the engine in reverse to confirm the anchor is locked.▶ 2:24 Lines are passed through a cleat rather than around the entire cleat body to eliminate the risk of a line fouling the propeller.▶ 8:55 A tender is used to carry lines ashore, positioned bow-toward-anchor so the engine pushes it away from the chain.▶ 4:59 For additional security against a strong wind shift, a third line runs from the boat's bow to a rock on the beam.▶ 11:57 Retsinas stresses that experienced sailors are often harder to retrain than beginners because they arrive with ingrained but suboptimal habits, and advises skippers to brief crew with precise, step-by-step instructions before the maneuver begins.▶ 14:41

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