WEsail · video

What this video covers

Anchoring in coral-rich atolls requires floating the anchor chain to prevent damage to the reef and to avoid the chain becoming fouled on coral heads.15:31 In a crowded anchorage near Makemo, France, the crew of a cruising sailboat encounters 30-to-40-knot winds that force them to deploy a stern anchor to maintain their position and prevent swinging into nearby coral.13:49 The crew emphasizes that floating the chain—using buoys to keep the metal off the seafloor—is a mandatory practice for responsible anchoring in these environments, despite the increased time and effort required to retrieve the gear in an emergency.15:40 The video also details the cleanup of spoiled canned goods in the boat's galley, highlighting the importance of rotating provisions.25:03 The crew concludes that while anchoring in sensitive coral areas is challenging and requires constant vigilance, the environmental necessity of protecting the reef outweighs the convenience of traditional anchoring methods.

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