Ground Tackle. The Chief Mate is charged with the good order and upkeep of the ground tackle.
He should look after:
- Anchors.
- Chain.
- Riding chocks.
- Shackles.
- Pins.
- Forelocks.
- Markings (by turns of wire on studs), paint shackles white, as an aid in noting run of chain at night.
- Chain compressors.
- Stoppers.
Chain should be ranged when in dry dock, if time permits, and locker cleaned out and painted. See that ends of the chains are lashed at the top of the chain locker.
The kedges and stream anchors should be where they can be got at. See that the necessary gear for getting them out is ready and stowed handy for use.
The windlass is in charge of the engineers. The Chief Mate should understand its working, and the Carpenter should also understand it in every detail.
See that the hand gear is in order and can be worked by the crew. It is a good plan to try this out when opportunity offers. When the emergency comes there is little time to drill.
When Coming to Anchor, or Heaving In. The Chief Mate takes his station on the f'c'sle head. He is in charge of the ground tackle.
Anchoring.
Report when anchors are ready to let go.