Know your Nautical terminology
anchor
1. Any object designed to prevent or slow the drift of a ship, attached to the ship by a line or chain; usually a metal, hook or plough-like object designed to grip the solid seabed under the body of water.
2. To deploy an anchor (e.g. "she anchored offshore").
sea anchor
A stabilizer deployed in the water for heaving to in heavy weather. It acts as a brake and keeps the hull in line with the wind and perpendicular to the waves. Often in the form of a large bag made of heavy canvas.
sheet anchor
Historically, the heaviest anchor aboard a sailing ship, to be used only in case of emergency, and located amidships. In more general usage, the term has come to mean a person or thing that is very reliable in times of emergency. For example, during the first inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, he advocated, "the preservation of the General [Federal] Government in its whole constitutional vigor, as the sheet anchor of our peace at home and safety abroad."
Anchor types
anchor rode
The chain or rope which connects the anchor to the ship. The US Navy only uses chain for ships but may use chain and line for small boats.
anchor scope
The ratio of the length of the rode to the depth of water. As a general rule, the scope should be at least 7:1. This is more important than the size, weight, or type of anchor when it comes to safe anchoring.
WWG1WGA
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)