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Retrieval may be achieved by use of an easy to use partial trip line. We suggest the use of a 10mm silver (polyester) floating line about 15m in length, (depending on the size of the Para-Anchor) attached to the stainless steel chain at the apex of the Para-Anchor and, and leading up to a buoy (floating fender). From this buoy, attach a second buoyant line, a 10mm x 25m with a small float (bright colour) attached to the bitter end. The second float will be carried down wind from the primary float. On retrieval the boat moves up to and retrieves this bright coloured float. With load applied to the line the parachute sea anchor collapses and is then pulled in. With the use of this system no tangle or foul-up has been recorded.

Practise and timing

It is highly recommended that practice be undertaken before the voyage commences to familiarise yourself with this procedure. The parachute sea anchor should be deployed prior to conditions becoming unmanageable or disastrous. As in reefing (we should reef 10 minutes before we thought of it) so does this apply to parachute sea anchoring. A wise approach is to deploy in daylight.

Air Deployment unit unpacked.

The power of the parachute

During one of our sea trials, Para-Anchors Australia chartered a high powered, high speed, 100 passenger, 20-knot tourist catamaran. With Para-Anchors Australia's Force 10 unit deployed astern, the big cat's power was slowly built up to the power setting that should have produced 10 knots of boat speed. Much to the skipper/owners surprise (verbal comments not able to print) the big cat had not registered boat speed on its instruments. We estimate that at this point the boat was doing less than 1 knot and pulling 3 tons of force. It was at this point, and much to our disappointment, that the test line broke. The parachute showed no sign whatsoever of any stress.

Airborne deployment

Para-Anchors Australia have developed an airborne deployment package specifically designed to hold a vessel in distress, thus requiring minimal assistance or no further assistance after deployment of the parachute anchor. The airborne package consists of 100m of nylon webbing (equivalent to 16mm nylon 3-strand rope).

Tightly packed in a series of linked cells, Tasman 15 parachute sea anchor, float and retrieval system. The operation of this unit is simple and straightforward. Once received by the vessel in distress, the nylon rode tail is removed from under the restraining flap and clipped to a strong point on the bow of the boat. The complete package is then thrown into the ocean while at the same time tearing open the yellow velcro retaining strap. The parachute sea anchor will now deploy from the container, pull out 100 metres of line, stabilise and hold the bow of the vessel head to wind.

Air deployment in container

The Fisherman Series

This parachute sea anchor by Para-Anchors Australia is a unit specifically designed for the amateur fisherman, or charter boat operator. The main objective is to improve fish catch by controlling the behavior of the boat relative to the direction of water movement (current). The fisherman is able to the stay on the fishing ground longer, use very light tackle and less fuel because he does not need to move as often. However, should conditions deteriorate and the boat become disabled, the Fisherman Series is designed with the capacity to save both boat and crew.

Bigger catches

John Stevens OBI CHARTERS ... "The fisherman para anchor has transformed my business. since the parachute sea anchor has been in use. greatly increasing our fish catches and giving more comfort for our passengers".

Professional Fisherman Series

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