Chasing Anchors

We had to help our Russian companion tug 'Primus' today. He got some problems with anchor handling and had to break off his operations. Leaving an anchor without buoy for us to recover. This is done with a so-called 'J-Chaser'. In fact it is a question mark of 3000 kg. You connect it to your work or tow wire, lower it lower than the projected anchor wire under tension, and start fishing until you catch the wire in the hook. It is big game fishing. After you notice that the wire is in your hook, you follow the anchor wire until your hook gets stuck into the anchor and you start heaving. Big chance that the anchor comes on deck as you can see on this picture. You can see the big hook on the right.