The cat, or cat tackle, is a heavy block and tackle system used on traditional sailing ships to lift the anchor clear of the water and secure it to a projecting timber called the cathead. Once the anchor is broken out of the seabed and raised to the surface by the capstan, the cat tackle is hooked to the anchor ring to haul it up the final distance to the rail.
Heard on the job
Hook the cat to the ring and haul away, we need to get this anchor catted and secured before we catch the wind.
Also heard as
- cat tackle
- cat fall