The Delta main anchor is self launching. It can be deployed and recovered by use of the up and down deck switches that control the electric windlass.

There are 2 breakers in the power supply to the windlass, both need to be on before use. One switch is mounted on the panel above the chart table, the other is positioned behind the access panel below the chart table on the lower left hand side. This second breaker should normally be left on. It is good practice to leave the windlass breaker at the main switch panel off when not in use, this prevents accidental activation of the deck switches.
 

Run out at least 4 times the depth for scope, let the yacht settle with out reverse power and check to see if you are dragging. If you are not, apply 1000 rpm in reverse on both engines and again check to see if the yacht is dragging backwards. If you are not, increase to 1500 rpm on both engines. If you remain stationary leave the motors engaged for 1 minute and this should finish setting the anchor, disengage motors.

Finally, attach anchor bridle to chain with hook and run out slack until the bridle takes the load and the windlass does not.
 

Caution

Keep well clear of windlass, chain and bow rollers when anchoring.

Do not backup at high speeds when setting anchor, it is ineffective and places huge strain on the windlass and ground tackle.

Always calculate and use sufficient scope, lay it out gradually as the yacht falls back.

Always attach anchor bridle.

If the windlass locks at any time during laying or recovering the anchor, visual check that the chain has not become jammed at the windlass gypsy

Check for changes in weather conditions that may require you to move or re-anchor.

Always show the appropriate day mark or anchor light.
 

Anchor Recovery

Motor ahead slowly, at the same time press the up switch to bring the chain back on board.

Detach the bridle hook when it arrives at the bow roller, motor just enough to keep the yacht straight and take the strain off the windlass.

When you have recovered enough scope to where the chain is straight up from the bottom, apply reverse to finally break the anchor free.

At regular intervals, check that the chain is falling clear of the gypsy into the chain locker
 
Do not use the windlass motor to break the anchor free and try not to drive over the anchor when recovering.

Bring the remaining chain onboard and carefully draw the anchor back onto the bow roller.
 

Mooring Bouys

Many anchorage’s and dive site offer moorings for private and commercial use. Permanent mooring offer a number of advantages, protection of marine habitats, secure holding and the ability to fit more vessels into a given area are some of them.

The skipper has to assess the safety and suitability of a mooring, not all are well installed or maintained. Anchorage’s may have private moorings mixed in with public ones, check the swinging room is adequate for the vessel.
 

To use the British Virgin Islands as an example the mooring bouy system is divided into two categories. The National Parks Trust have day mooring fields installed at many of the most popular dive and snorkel spots, they are colour coded according to vessel activity. The installation system used causes minimum impact on the surrounding environment. Note these moorings are not authorized for overnight use.

The overnight moorings can be used by vessel up to 60 ft in length and are marked as such, they are allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
 

Picking up a mooring buoy from a catamaran is not difficult. It is recommended to approach from the starboard bow as this gives the crew on the foredeck a clear view to the helmsman and easy communication. Position a crewman on the starboard bow to indicate the position of the mooring buoy and be ready to hook the pickup line. Use the boathook to lift the pickup line or mooring pennant and attach this to the starboard cleat on the aluminum crossbeam. Once secured on the stb side attach one of the vessels docklines to the port cross beam cleat and run the free end through the metal ring on top of the mooring  buoy and back to the same cleat and secure. In order to centralize the buoy release tension on the starboard pickup line and take up the slack on the port line until the buoy is centered.

Make sure the helmsman has a a clear view forward, approach the mooring head to wind at slow speed. Aim the bouy to be just inside the stb bow.

When within two boat lengths center the helm and maneuver using the throttles, stop the boat with a short burst astern and hold the boat stationary while the crew secures the mooring buoy.

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