Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Get a pair of FRS radios with headsets. Your life will get much better when you
can just have a simple conversation. Or, if you have two cell phones with free
minutes on the weekends ...



wrote in message
...
Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Get a pair of FRS radios with headsets. Your life will get much better when you
can just have a simple conversation. Or, if you have two cell phones with free
minutes on the weekends ...



wrote in message
...
Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

On Sat, 06 Mar 2004 21:42:59 GMT, wrote:

Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

Some people start out with hand signals and revert to well known
finger signals. :)

Regards
Gary

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

On Sat, 06 Mar 2004 21:42:59 GMT, wrote:

Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

Some people start out with hand signals and revert to well known
finger signals. :)

Regards
Gary

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
Get a pair of FRS radios with headsets. Your life will get much better
when you
can just have a simple conversation. Or, if you have two cell phones with
free
minutes on the weekends ...
Total bull****. Last thing you need to worry about is cheap electronics
that fail when you need them most. My wife and I have a system that
requires no verbal communications. It is based on the premise that the
person at the anchor is driving the boat with his signals and any mistakes
are due to his/her failure to convey proper hand signals.
With your back to the driver :
Steering signals
1. Arm straight to the right = steer to the right
2. Karat chop forward = steer straight
3. Arm 90 vertical = steer left
4. right index spinning in the air = anchor is up, steer on predetermined
course
Speed Signals
1. palm up with an upward movement = speed up
2. Palm down with downward movement = slow down
3. clenched fist = neutral
4. thumb up = forward gear idle speed
5. Thumb down = reverse gear idle speed
6. Slash index finger across throat = stop engine

We have never had to say a word and have never had a problem with anchoring.
If there is a problem, it reflects a lack of practice on the part of the
crew.

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
Get a pair of FRS radios with headsets. Your life will get much better
when you
can just have a simple conversation. Or, if you have two cell phones with
free
minutes on the weekends ...
Total bull****. Last thing you need to worry about is cheap electronics
that fail when you need them most. My wife and I have a system that
requires no verbal communications. It is based on the premise that the
person at the anchor is driving the boat with his signals and any mistakes
are due to his/her failure to convey proper hand signals.
With your back to the driver :
Steering signals
1. Arm straight to the right = steer to the right
2. Karat chop forward = steer straight
3. Arm 90 vertical = steer left
4. right index spinning in the air = anchor is up, steer on predetermined
course
Speed Signals
1. palm up with an upward movement = speed up
2. Palm down with downward movement = slow down
3. clenched fist = neutral
4. thumb up = forward gear idle speed
5. Thumb down = reverse gear idle speed
6. Slash index finger across throat = stop engine

We have never had to say a word and have never had a problem with anchoring.
If there is a problem, it reflects a lack of practice on the part of the
crew.

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

On Sat, 06 Mar 2004 21:42:59 GMT, wrote:

Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

My suggestion would be to ask you wife what hand signals she wants to
use for different anchoring tasks/commands. Then YOU memorize her
signals.
The signals she comes up with, she will recognize easier because the
are more instinctive for her.
Mark E. Willliams

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

On Sat, 06 Mar 2004 21:42:59 GMT, wrote:

Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

My suggestion would be to ask you wife what hand signals she wants to
use for different anchoring tasks/commands. Then YOU memorize her
signals.
The signals she comes up with, she will recognize easier because the
are more instinctive for her.
Mark E. Willliams

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Good point. We sat down and came up with ours as a team and there has never
been a cross in our communications. The thumb up and down was a result of
the direction of the shift lever.

My suggestion would be to ask you wife what hand signals she wants to
use for different anchoring tasks/commands. Then YOU memorize her
signals.
The signals she comes up with, she will recognize easier because the
are more instinctive for her.
Mark E. Willliams

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Good point. We sat down and came up with ours as a team and there has never
been a cross in our communications. The thumb up and down was a result of
the direction of the shift lever.

My suggestion would be to ask you wife what hand signals she wants to
use for different anchoring tasks/commands. Then YOU memorize her
signals.
The signals she comes up with, she will recognize easier because the
are more instinctive for her.
Mark E. Willliams

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Minimum signals, but other captain worked the anchor when it was
smaller so knows what needs to be accomplished. Almost all is done at
idle speed unless severe conditions warrants more.
Pointing direction of where anchor is, continue pointing if more power
is warranted, hand palm facing back to confirm I want it in neutral,
she usually has already put in neutral, thumb up when anchor is broken
out, she can get under way at idle speed while cleaning anchor and
until I leave foredeck.
She knows that in crowded conditions, she has control of boat once
thumb is up.

Gary Schafer wrote in message . ..
On Sat, 06 Mar 2004 21:42:59 GMT, wrote:

Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

Some people start out with hand signals and revert to well known
finger signals. :)

Regards
Gary

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Minimum signals, but other captain worked the anchor when it was
smaller so knows what needs to be accomplished. Almost all is done at
idle speed unless severe conditions warrants more.
Pointing direction of where anchor is, continue pointing if more power
is warranted, hand palm facing back to confirm I want it in neutral,
she usually has already put in neutral, thumb up when anchor is broken
out, she can get under way at idle speed while cleaning anchor and
until I leave foredeck.
She knows that in crowded conditions, she has control of boat once
thumb is up.

Gary Schafer wrote in message . ..
On Sat, 06 Mar 2004 21:42:59 GMT, wrote:

Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

Some people start out with hand signals and revert to well known
finger signals. :)

Regards
Gary

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Best suggestion I'veseen in a long while. And of course once you have an
agreed set of signals, you will practice the exercise a couple of times well
away from everyone else ... That way you will stay friends.
DF

"Maynard G. Krebbs" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 06 Mar 2004 21:42:59 GMT, wrote:

Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

My suggestion would be to ask you wife what hand signals she wants to
use for different anchoring tasks/commands. Then YOU memorize her
signals.
The signals she comes up with, she will recognize easier because the
are more instinctive for her.
Mark E. Willliams

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Best suggestion I'veseen in a long while. And of course once you have an
agreed set of signals, you will practice the exercise a couple of times well
away from everyone else ... That way you will stay friends.
DF

"Maynard G. Krebbs" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 06 Mar 2004 21:42:59 GMT, wrote:

Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

My suggestion would be to ask you wife what hand signals she wants to
use for different anchoring tasks/commands. Then YOU memorize her
signals.
The signals she comes up with, she will recognize easier because the
are more instinctive for her.
Mark E. Willliams

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

x-no-archive:yes


"Jeff Morris" wrote:

Get a pair of FRS radios with headsets. Your life will get much better when you
can just have a simple conversation. Or, if you have two cell phones with free
minutes on the weekends ...

We tried this and it just did NOT work. Bob is a bit deaf and so am I
and the FRS radio transmissions just weren't intelligible to us.


wrote in message
.. .
Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

This was us. Me at the helm, not experienced. Bob retrieving the
anchor.

He has learned two things:

a) Don't anchor in a crowded place

b) Explain to me face to face what he intends to do first so that the
hand signals will make more sense. For anchoring, he says something
like - I want to anchor about there (pointing) in 10 feet of water (or
whatever depth he's decided on) and I want you to come into the wind.
I sometimes call out (yell) the soundings to him as we motor in.

For pulling the anchor, he will say something like - the anchor's dug
in good (because he always retrieves most of the chain first to allow
the boat to come up close to the anchor so he can tell that), and you
will have to motor up into the wind for me to break it out. When the
anchor is free, I want you to go out of the anchorage this way (and
shows me by pointing) out to the red 17 marker and then down the
channel.

We have a MINIMUM of hand signals and we almost always use them more
for pulling the anchor rather than anchoring.

The hand signals are only 4
1) Go forward in a specified direction
2) Drop back to idle
3) Back up (mostly for anchoring to check that the anchor is set)
4) and mostly for pulling the anchor- The anchor is up - leave the
anchorage

1) Point with whole arm and pointing finger means put the power on and
steer in the direction he is pointing. Move arm up and down from the
elbow pointing in a direction and looking irritated means go faster in
that direction. As the boat swings, he continues pointing in the
direction he wants the bow to go.

2) Move hand side to side quickly parallel to the water means go back
to idle

3) Facing forward if he drops his hand back down to his side with the
palm toward me and pushes the hand backwards a couple of times, that
means back up. He may also turn and point backwards. This is usually
to set the anchor.

4) Extended forefinger pointing and circling.

These hand signals were not agreed on by me particularly because I
would not have known what signals were needed - they just kind of
evolved. I don't think you need anything elaborate and your wife
doesn't have to come up with the signals for them to work.

My main problem is with #1 - if there is wind or current, I have
trouble holding a heading without swinging past it as it takes the
boat some time to respond to the power and actually go in the
direction I want it to go and then it goes on past before I get it
corrected. So your wife should practice steering some without
anchoring.

It is helpful to have a rudder indicator on the autopilot because I
can see which way the rudder is set. Before we had an autopilot, I
put a piece of white tape on the wheel where the rudder was in the
center.

grandma Rosalie

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

x-no-archive:yes


"Jeff Morris" wrote:

Get a pair of FRS radios with headsets. Your life will get much better when you
can just have a simple conversation. Or, if you have two cell phones with free
minutes on the weekends ...

We tried this and it just did NOT work. Bob is a bit deaf and so am I
and the FRS radio transmissions just weren't intelligible to us.


wrote in message
.. .
Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

This was us. Me at the helm, not experienced. Bob retrieving the
anchor.

He has learned two things:

a) Don't anchor in a crowded place

b) Explain to me face to face what he intends to do first so that the
hand signals will make more sense. For anchoring, he says something
like - I want to anchor about there (pointing) in 10 feet of water (or
whatever depth he's decided on) and I want you to come into the wind.
I sometimes call out (yell) the soundings to him as we motor in.

For pulling the anchor, he will say something like - the anchor's dug
in good (because he always retrieves most of the chain first to allow
the boat to come up close to the anchor so he can tell that), and you
will have to motor up into the wind for me to break it out. When the
anchor is free, I want you to go out of the anchorage this way (and
shows me by pointing) out to the red 17 marker and then down the
channel.

We have a MINIMUM of hand signals and we almost always use them more
for pulling the anchor rather than anchoring.

The hand signals are only 4
1) Go forward in a specified direction
2) Drop back to idle
3) Back up (mostly for anchoring to check that the anchor is set)
4) and mostly for pulling the anchor- The anchor is up - leave the
anchorage

1) Point with whole arm and pointing finger means put the power on and
steer in the direction he is pointing. Move arm up and down from the
elbow pointing in a direction and looking irritated means go faster in
that direction. As the boat swings, he continues pointing in the
direction he wants the bow to go.

2) Move hand side to side quickly parallel to the water means go back
to idle

3) Facing forward if he drops his hand back down to his side with the
palm toward me and pushes the hand backwards a couple of times, that
means back up. He may also turn and point backwards. This is usually
to set the anchor.

4) Extended forefinger pointing and circling.

These hand signals were not agreed on by me particularly because I
would not have known what signals were needed - they just kind of
evolved. I don't think you need anything elaborate and your wife
doesn't have to come up with the signals for them to work.

My main problem is with #1 - if there is wind or current, I have
trouble holding a heading without swinging past it as it takes the
boat some time to respond to the power and actually go in the
direction I want it to go and then it goes on past before I get it
corrected. So your wife should practice steering some without
anchoring.

It is helpful to have a rudder indicator on the autopilot because I
can see which way the rudder is set. Before we had an autopilot, I
put a piece of white tape on the wheel where the rudder was in the
center.

grandma Rosalie

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

On Sat, 6 Mar 2004 19:17:56 -0500, "Bruce"
wrote:


With your back to the driver :
Steering signals
1. Arm straight to the right = steer to the right
2. Karat chop forward = steer straight
3. Arm 90 vertical = steer left
4. right index spinning in the air = anchor is up, steer on predetermined
course
Speed Signals
1. palm up with an upward movement = speed up
2. Palm down with downward movement = slow down
3. clenched fist = neutral
4. thumb up = forward gear idle speed
5. Thumb down = reverse gear idle speed
6. Slash index finger across throat = stop engine


Great list. Quite intuitive

I would add two.

1) Karate chop aft - steer straight back.

Used after the anchor is on the bottom and you are starting lay out
the rode.

2) Arm straight up - over the anchor, stop any way.

Very useful when the anchor is buried deeply and you have to reverse
to get the anchor out of the bottom. You can then cleat off and use
the steer straight back signal.

Jack

__________________________________________________
Jack Dale
Swiftsure Sailing Academy
Director
ISPA and CYA Instructor
http://www.swiftsuresailing.com
Phone: 1 (877) 470-SAIL (toll free)
__________________________________________________

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

On Sat, 6 Mar 2004 19:17:56 -0500, "Bruce"
wrote:


With your back to the driver :
Steering signals
1. Arm straight to the right = steer to the right
2. Karat chop forward = steer straight
3. Arm 90 vertical = steer left
4. right index spinning in the air = anchor is up, steer on predetermined
course
Speed Signals
1. palm up with an upward movement = speed up
2. Palm down with downward movement = slow down
3. clenched fist = neutral
4. thumb up = forward gear idle speed
5. Thumb down = reverse gear idle speed
6. Slash index finger across throat = stop engine


Great list. Quite intuitive

I would add two.

1) Karate chop aft - steer straight back.

Used after the anchor is on the bottom and you are starting lay out
the rode.

2) Arm straight up - over the anchor, stop any way.

Very useful when the anchor is buried deeply and you have to reverse
to get the anchor out of the bottom. You can then cleat off and use
the steer straight back signal.

Jack

__________________________________________________
Jack Dale
Swiftsure Sailing Academy
Director
ISPA and CYA Instructor
http://www.swiftsuresailing.com
Phone: 1 (877) 470-SAIL (toll free)
__________________________________________________

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

My suggestion would be to ask you wife what hand signals she wants to
use for different anchoring tasks/commands. Then YOU memorize her
signals.
The signals she comes up with, she will recognize easier because the
are more instinctive for her.
Mark E. Willliams

Good suggestion.

We tried to keep signals as few and intuitive as possible:

pat head = ahead
pat bum = reverse
arm vertical = neutral

point right, left, forward, etc. = steer that way.
when raising anchor, point in direction of anchor rode

thumb up/down = more/less throttle, only when setting the anchor

- We also took turns anchoring so that we each knew what the other would do
in a given situation.
- We anchored so often that my wife (who usually was at the helm) would feel
the anchor start to bite and swing the bow around and knew to ease off the
throttle at that point etc. For weekend cruisers, this wouldn't be
applicable.

--
Evan Gatehouse

you'll have to rewrite my email address to get to me
ceilydh AT 3web dot net
(fools the spammers)

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

My suggestion would be to ask you wife what hand signals she wants to
use for different anchoring tasks/commands. Then YOU memorize her
signals.
The signals she comes up with, she will recognize easier because the
are more instinctive for her.
Mark E. Willliams

Good suggestion.

We tried to keep signals as few and intuitive as possible:

pat head = ahead
pat bum = reverse
arm vertical = neutral

point right, left, forward, etc. = steer that way.
when raising anchor, point in direction of anchor rode

thumb up/down = more/less throttle, only when setting the anchor

- We also took turns anchoring so that we each knew what the other would do
in a given situation.
- We anchored so often that my wife (who usually was at the helm) would feel
the anchor start to bite and swing the bow around and knew to ease off the
throttle at that point etc. For weekend cruisers, this wouldn't be
applicable.

--
Evan Gatehouse

you'll have to rewrite my email address to get to me
ceilydh AT 3web dot net
(fools the spammers)

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

I use a very similar set with my 14 year old daughter (for the last 3
years since she was 11). Only changes....
We have twin inboards so the steering wheel is almost never used in
anchoring or docking....
1) Right hand pointing fwd= engage stbd engine fwd (pointing back...
reverse)
2) Left hand pointing fwd= engage port engine fwd (pointing back...
reverse)
3) same3. clenched fist = neutral (BUT LEFT = PORT ENGINE, RIGHT STBD)
4) Two hands together pointing in a general direction= STEER in that
direction. (typically used when we are finished pulling the anchor and I
want her to head somewhere else until I get to the bridge)
5) Right index finger circling in the air... fire up the engines
(Stolen from aviation hand signals)
6) SAME6. Slash index finger across throat = stop engine

Simple part about this system for twins is that I worry about what the
engines will do to the boat, not the helmsmen. Takes out the guess work
for them.


Jack Dale wrote:
On Sat, 6 Mar 2004 19:17:56 -0500, "Bruce"
wrote:



With your back to the driver :
Steering signals
1. Arm straight to the right = steer to the right
2. Karat chop forward = steer straight
3. Arm 90 vertical = steer left
4. right index spinning in the air = anchor is up, steer on predetermined
course
Speed Signals
1. palm up with an upward movement = speed up
2. Palm down with downward movement = slow down
3. clenched fist = neutral
4. thumb up = forward gear idle speed
5. Thumb down = reverse gear idle speed
6. Slash index finger across throat = stop engine



Great list. Quite intuitive

I would add two.

1) Karate chop aft - steer straight back.

Used after the anchor is on the bottom and you are starting lay out
the rode.

2) Arm straight up - over the anchor, stop any way.

Very useful when the anchor is buried deeply and you have to reverse
to get the anchor out of the bottom. You can then cleat off and use
the steer straight back signal.

Jack

__________________________________________________
Jack Dale
Swiftsure Sailing Academy
Director
ISPA and CYA Instructor
http://www.swiftsuresailing.com
Phone: 1 (877) 470-SAIL (toll free)
__________________________________________________

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

I use a very similar set with my 14 year old daughter (for the last 3
years since she was 11). Only changes....
We have twin inboards so the steering wheel is almost never used in
anchoring or docking....
1) Right hand pointing fwd= engage stbd engine fwd (pointing back...
reverse)
2) Left hand pointing fwd= engage port engine fwd (pointing back...
reverse)
3) same3. clenched fist = neutral (BUT LEFT = PORT ENGINE, RIGHT STBD)
4) Two hands together pointing in a general direction= STEER in that
direction. (typically used when we are finished pulling the anchor and I
want her to head somewhere else until I get to the bridge)
5) Right index finger circling in the air... fire up the engines
(Stolen from aviation hand signals)
6) SAME6. Slash index finger across throat = stop engine

Simple part about this system for twins is that I worry about what the
engines will do to the boat, not the helmsmen. Takes out the guess work
for them.


Jack Dale wrote:
On Sat, 6 Mar 2004 19:17:56 -0500, "Bruce"
wrote:



With your back to the driver :
Steering signals
1. Arm straight to the right = steer to the right
2. Karat chop forward = steer straight
3. Arm 90 vertical = steer left
4. right index spinning in the air = anchor is up, steer on predetermined
course
Speed Signals
1. palm up with an upward movement = speed up
2. Palm down with downward movement = slow down
3. clenched fist = neutral
4. thumb up = forward gear idle speed
5. Thumb down = reverse gear idle speed
6. Slash index finger across throat = stop engine



Great list. Quite intuitive

I would add two.

1) Karate chop aft - steer straight back.

Used after the anchor is on the bottom and you are starting lay out
the rode.

2) Arm straight up - over the anchor, stop any way.

Very useful when the anchor is buried deeply and you have to reverse
to get the anchor out of the bottom. You can then cleat off and use
the steer straight back signal.

Jack

__________________________________________________
Jack Dale
Swiftsure Sailing Academy
Director
ISPA and CYA Instructor
http://www.swiftsuresailing.com
Phone: 1 (877) 470-SAIL (toll free)
__________________________________________________

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Believe it or not, hand signals are internationally standardized and
used for things like crane operations, where there's commonly somebody
(the signaler) at the point where the load is going and somebody else
(the crane driver) who runs the crane in response to the hand signals.
The driver is frequently working 'blind', i.e., he can't see the load
at all -- so the signals must be pretty good! Here are dome of the
more salient ones:

Arm extended -- go that way (i.e., extended to right, go right;
extended toward the stern, reverse)
Arm bent at elbow -- go other way (i.e., if using right arm, go left)
Palm down, patting motion -- slow down
Palm up, patting motion -- speed up
Twirling index finger in any direction -- go this way, SLOWLY
Opening and closing fingers against thumb, with arm signalling
direction -- move a small amount in indicated direction, then stop
Closed fist -- STOP

To these, we've added 2 more, specifically related to anchoring:

Motion of hand vertically, from highest extent down to knees: Anchor
rode is "up and down"; hold position if possible

Sweeping arm horizontally -- anchor's aweigh; carry on at slow speed

And one, for safety when a line is under or near the hull:

Hand slash across throat -- STOP PROPELLOR (neutral or engine stop)

In the case of the crane operators (and also on our boat) the signals
refer to the _outcome_, not to the action taken by the operator. For
example, in our case the closed fist means "Stop the boat" NOT "Put
the engine in neutral." The driver generally puts the engine in
revers, and, monitoring a point on the shore or looking at the water
alongside, puts the engine in neutral when the boat has stopped. With
a less experienced driver, it might be better to think of the signals
as rudder and engine commands, so the closed fist would mean "Put the
engine in neutral". This requires the signaller to send LOTS more
signals, as "Reverse" (arm toward stern) becomes "Neutral" when the
boat comes to a stop, etc.) This, it seems to me, could cause
problems when the signaller gets tied up in other things, such as a
jammed windlass, and can't easily give the next comand at the right
time.

In any case, you should decide upon (and stick to) which convention
you are using -- do the signals communicate boat actions, or rudder
commands?

One unsolicited comment: In a breeze, as soon as the anchor comes up
the bow tends to fall off downwind. The easiest way for an
inexperienced helmsperson to stay out of trouble while the bow person
secures the anchor is to simply let the bow fall off, and, keeping the
boat headed downwind, motor slowly in revers to maintain station.
After all, the boat was anchored right there shortly before, so there
must be room for her. The alternative, motoring to windward as soon
as the anchor is aweigh, can end up with your boat moving rapidly
through a crouwded anchorage, narrowly missing the other boats -- who
cannot be expected to invite you for drinks when they see you at the
next anchorage.

wrote in message . ..
Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

Believe it or not, hand signals are internationally standardized and
used for things like crane operations, where there's commonly somebody
(the signaler) at the point where the load is going and somebody else
(the crane driver) who runs the crane in response to the hand signals.
The driver is frequently working 'blind', i.e., he can't see the load
at all -- so the signals must be pretty good! Here are dome of the
more salient ones:

Arm extended -- go that way (i.e., extended to right, go right;
extended toward the stern, reverse)
Arm bent at elbow -- go other way (i.e., if using right arm, go left)
Palm down, patting motion -- slow down
Palm up, patting motion -- speed up
Twirling index finger in any direction -- go this way, SLOWLY
Opening and closing fingers against thumb, with arm signalling
direction -- move a small amount in indicated direction, then stop
Closed fist -- STOP

To these, we've added 2 more, specifically related to anchoring:

Motion of hand vertically, from highest extent down to knees: Anchor
rode is "up and down"; hold position if possible

Sweeping arm horizontally -- anchor's aweigh; carry on at slow speed

And one, for safety when a line is under or near the hull:

Hand slash across throat -- STOP PROPELLOR (neutral or engine stop)

In the case of the crane operators (and also on our boat) the signals
refer to the _outcome_, not to the action taken by the operator. For
example, in our case the closed fist means "Stop the boat" NOT "Put
the engine in neutral." The driver generally puts the engine in
revers, and, monitoring a point on the shore or looking at the water
alongside, puts the engine in neutral when the boat has stopped. With
a less experienced driver, it might be better to think of the signals
as rudder and engine commands, so the closed fist would mean "Put the
engine in neutral". This requires the signaller to send LOTS more
signals, as "Reverse" (arm toward stern) becomes "Neutral" when the
boat comes to a stop, etc.) This, it seems to me, could cause
problems when the signaller gets tied up in other things, such as a
jammed windlass, and can't easily give the next comand at the right
time.

In any case, you should decide upon (and stick to) which convention
you are using -- do the signals communicate boat actions, or rudder
commands?

One unsolicited comment: In a breeze, as soon as the anchor comes up
the bow tends to fall off downwind. The easiest way for an
inexperienced helmsperson to stay out of trouble while the bow person
secures the anchor is to simply let the bow fall off, and, keeping the
boat headed downwind, motor slowly in revers to maintain station.
After all, the boat was anchored right there shortly before, so there
must be room for her. The alternative, motoring to windward as soon
as the anchor is aweigh, can end up with your boat moving rapidly
through a crouwded anchorage, narrowly missing the other boats -- who
cannot be expected to invite you for drinks when they see you at the
next anchorage.

wrote in message . ..
Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

x-no-archive:yes


Very good explanation.

(Rob Overton) wrote:

Believe it or not, hand signals are internationally standardized and
used for things like crane operations, where there's commonly somebody
(the signaler) at the point where the load is going and somebody else
(the crane driver) who runs the crane in response to the hand signals.
The driver is frequently working 'blind', i.e., he can't see the load
at all -- so the signals must be pretty good! Here are dome of the
more salient ones:

Arm extended -- go that way (i.e., extended to right, go right;
extended toward the stern, reverse)
Arm bent at elbow -- go other way (i.e., if using right arm, go left)
Palm down, patting motion -- slow down
Palm up, patting motion -- speed up
Twirling index finger in any direction -- go this way, SLOWLY
Opening and closing fingers against thumb, with arm signalling
direction -- move a small amount in indicated direction, then stop
Closed fist -- STOP

To these, we've added 2 more, specifically related to anchoring:

Motion of hand vertically, from highest extent down to knees: Anchor
rode is "up and down"; hold position if possible

Sweeping arm horizontally -- anchor's aweigh; carry on at slow speed

And one, for safety when a line is under or near the hull:

Hand slash across throat -- STOP PROPELLOR (neutral or engine stop)

We have all chain rode, so we generally don't have a line under the
hull, but we do have a command for putting the engine into neutral.

In the case of the crane operators (and also on our boat) the signals
refer to the _outcome_, not to the action taken by the operator. For
example, in our case the closed fist means "Stop the boat" NOT "Put
the engine in neutral." The driver generally puts the engine in
revers, and, monitoring a point on the shore or looking at the water
alongside, puts the engine in neutral when the boat has stopped. With
a less experienced driver, it might be better to think of the signals
as rudder and engine commands, so the closed fist would mean "Put the

This is a good point. In our case the signals are rudder and engine
commands, but I have enough experience now to be able to anticipate
when the next one is coming, or when we've gotten to the point that
Bob wants us to be. So I will put the engine in neutral, or whatever
in advance of his signal. I haven't told him this, but he hasn't been
upset about it, so I guess it must have been OK for him to do this.

engine in neutral". This requires the signaller to send LOTS more
signals, as "Reverse" (arm toward stern) becomes "Neutral" when the
boat comes to a stop, etc.) This, it seems to me, could cause
problems when the signaller gets tied up in other things, such as a
jammed windlass, and can't easily give the next comand at the right
time.

That's where the experience comes in.

In any case, you should decide upon (and stick to) which convention
you are using -- do the signals communicate boat actions, or rudder
commands?

One unsolicited comment: In a breeze, as soon as the anchor comes up
the bow tends to fall off downwind. The easiest way for an
inexperienced helmsperson to stay out of trouble while the bow person
secures the anchor is to simply let the bow fall off, and, keeping the
boat headed downwind, motor slowly in revers to maintain station.
After all, the boat was anchored right there shortly before, so there
must be room for her. The alternative, motoring to windward as soon
as the anchor is aweigh, can end up with your boat moving rapidly
through a crouwded anchorage, narrowly missing the other boats -- who
cannot be expected to invite you for drinks when they see you at the
next anchorage.

This is a good idea although somewhat counter-intuitive. The only
problem would be if there was current in addition to wind with a full
keel or modified full keel boat and if the boat doesn't back very well
or if the operator doesn't back very well.

wrote in message . ..
Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

grandma Rosalie

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

x-no-archive:yes


Very good explanation.

(Rob Overton) wrote:

Believe it or not, hand signals are internationally standardized and
used for things like crane operations, where there's commonly somebody
(the signaler) at the point where the load is going and somebody else
(the crane driver) who runs the crane in response to the hand signals.
The driver is frequently working 'blind', i.e., he can't see the load
at all -- so the signals must be pretty good! Here are dome of the
more salient ones:

Arm extended -- go that way (i.e., extended to right, go right;
extended toward the stern, reverse)
Arm bent at elbow -- go other way (i.e., if using right arm, go left)
Palm down, patting motion -- slow down
Palm up, patting motion -- speed up
Twirling index finger in any direction -- go this way, SLOWLY
Opening and closing fingers against thumb, with arm signalling
direction -- move a small amount in indicated direction, then stop
Closed fist -- STOP

To these, we've added 2 more, specifically related to anchoring:

Motion of hand vertically, from highest extent down to knees: Anchor
rode is "up and down"; hold position if possible

Sweeping arm horizontally -- anchor's aweigh; carry on at slow speed

And one, for safety when a line is under or near the hull:

Hand slash across throat -- STOP PROPELLOR (neutral or engine stop)

We have all chain rode, so we generally don't have a line under the
hull, but we do have a command for putting the engine into neutral.

In the case of the crane operators (and also on our boat) the signals
refer to the _outcome_, not to the action taken by the operator. For
example, in our case the closed fist means "Stop the boat" NOT "Put
the engine in neutral." The driver generally puts the engine in
revers, and, monitoring a point on the shore or looking at the water
alongside, puts the engine in neutral when the boat has stopped. With
a less experienced driver, it might be better to think of the signals
as rudder and engine commands, so the closed fist would mean "Put the

This is a good point. In our case the signals are rudder and engine
commands, but I have enough experience now to be able to anticipate
when the next one is coming, or when we've gotten to the point that
Bob wants us to be. So I will put the engine in neutral, or whatever
in advance of his signal. I haven't told him this, but he hasn't been
upset about it, so I guess it must have been OK for him to do this.

engine in neutral". This requires the signaller to send LOTS more
signals, as "Reverse" (arm toward stern) becomes "Neutral" when the
boat comes to a stop, etc.) This, it seems to me, could cause
problems when the signaller gets tied up in other things, such as a
jammed windlass, and can't easily give the next comand at the right
time.

That's where the experience comes in.

In any case, you should decide upon (and stick to) which convention
you are using -- do the signals communicate boat actions, or rudder
commands?

One unsolicited comment: In a breeze, as soon as the anchor comes up
the bow tends to fall off downwind. The easiest way for an
inexperienced helmsperson to stay out of trouble while the bow person
secures the anchor is to simply let the bow fall off, and, keeping the
boat headed downwind, motor slowly in revers to maintain station.
After all, the boat was anchored right there shortly before, so there
must be room for her. The alternative, motoring to windward as soon
as the anchor is aweigh, can end up with your boat moving rapidly
through a crouwded anchorage, narrowly missing the other boats -- who
cannot be expected to invite you for drinks when they see you at the
next anchorage.

This is a good idea although somewhat counter-intuitive. The only
problem would be if there was current in addition to wind with a full
keel or modified full keel boat and if the boat doesn't back very well
or if the operator doesn't back very well.

wrote in message . ..
Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e. a
means for the person on the bow handling the anchor to communicate
speed and direction to the helmsman without having to yell it out?

This would be for my wife and I where she is typically at the helm
while I am on the bow. She's not real experienced at the helm so a
clear set of signals would be helpful, especially when retrieving the
anchor with the wind up, crowded anchorage, etc.

Thanks.

grandma Rosalie

Hand signals for anchoring?
 

wrote in message
...
Does anybody have a good system of hand signals for anchoring, i.e.


I use a very simple set.

The person on the bow points in the direction that the anchor line is
heading, allowing the helmsman to steer in that direction. The angle that
the bow person is pointing can indicate the angle of the rode, providing
some indication of the distance to the anchor. If the angle points back it
indicates that the bow has overrun the anchor spot and that some reverse
might be in order.

A hand up in the classic "STOP" position means just that.

Rod