Para anchor,sea anchors dont provide the protection in storms
advertised by the manufacturers. The leading yachting magazines
perpetuate the myth, because para anchor manufacturers are prolific
advertisers. Both parties show themselves as little better than bilge
raised haddock. Here is some examples of what research has concluded
about para anchors.

“Even with a large sea anchor the bow of a modern yacht will
tend to yaw
away from the wind when the towline goes slack as it will when the
boat passes through the trough of the wave. For these reasons the use
of a sea anchor deployed from the bow is not recommended”
U.S. Coast Guard Report No CG-D-20-87 sec 6-6
A series type drogue provides significant advantages over a cone or
parachute type drogue/sea anchor”
U.S. Coast Guard Report CG-D-20-87

“ When we were doing our research for Surviving the storm, we
did not find a single positive experience in these conditions using
para anchors. And the unmistakable conclusion for us from this is that
in dangerously breaking seas, tactics other than a parachute anchor
have a higher chance of success – for most situations”.
Steve Dashew

“With a series drogue deployed, a well-designed and properly
constructed fibreglass boat should be capable of riding through a
Fastnet type storm with no structural damage. Model tests indicate
that the loads on the hull and rigging in a breaking wave strike
should not be excessive”
U.S. Coast Guard Report CG-D-20-87 sec 6-4

“Para anchor users interviewed all find their parachute
anchors extremely difficult to retrieve in other than moderate wind
and sea.
A major factor regarding both personal comfort and one’s use
of parachute anchors in breaking seas is the boat’s tendency to
sail at anchor. As stated earlier, if your boat sails on the hook, the
odds are it will sail around even more fiercely while lying to a
parachute in the middle of the ocean. This oscillation creates extreme
loads, presents the bow at a wide and dangerous angle to the sea, and
is extremely uncomfortable.”
Steve Dashew

There is much more of the same on my web site www.seriesdrogue.com
I have the following questions:-
Do product description codes/laws cover para anchors
Is it legal to advertise para anchors as safe in open ocean storms.
Do yachting magazines do any research when writing articles, or are
they spoon fed by interest groups.

Regards
Bryan Glover