As previously discussed, we prefer to use paint to mark our chain at designated lengths. For the anchor rode, this is a simple color band system that gets painted onto the chain to mark its length.
The problem is, a mooring chain for a Bahamian Moor uses an anchor at either end and the boats rode hooked into the middle of it. So, we don't really need to know how many feet we are, but instead where the ends and middle lay.
To identify this, I used red paint for the ends and middle.
Now, we know that the red ends receive an anchor, while the red middle is where the shackle attaches the main rode to the system. These areas are well demarcated, but the mooring chain is also 200 feet long, so there seems to be a red section every 100 feet. When pulling this behemoth of a chain up, we won't be able to use a windlass, so we will find ourselves nipping the chain and hauling it up with a cockpit winch, one nip at a time. This is a rather slow process, as we can only pull up around 1 boat length each nip, so I added some green markers in the middle area. Sort of a morale booster for me when I'm working!
These big green marks are located about half way between the shackle and the anchor, so when we see them, we know we are getting close to the hook! That should help boost my morale as we continue to nip the chain onto the deck!
