This heavy steel hook or weight digs into the sea bottom to prevent a ship from drifting due to wind or current. Most commercial vessels carry bower anchors at the bow and sometimes a stern anchor. The holding power comes primarily from the heavy chain lying flat on the seabed rather than just the flukes digging into the mud.
Heard on the job
Walk the port anchor out to the water line and stand by to let go.
Insider tip
Rookies think the anchor itself holds the ship, but it is actually the weight and friction of the heavy chain resting on the seabed that does the real work.