Be Careful Anchoring in Deer Harbor

Warning to those anchoring in Deer Harbor, Orcas Island

There is an unmarked, submerged, derelict sailboat in 45' of water, 100 ft from the opposite shore of the marina. The coordinates are:
North 48deg 37.136’
West 123deg 00.401’

UPDATE 08/2020: Deer Harbor Marina and residents have now has added 7-8 new bouys in the bay, as seen on Google Maps. Two of them now flank the derelict vessel making it all but impossible to set your anchor in it's hull and rigging.

I found this the hard way...

After fueling up at the Deer Harbor fuel dock we motored over to the West side of the harbor and dropped the anchor in 45’ of water approximately 100’ from shore. We let out approximately 140 feet of chain and set the anchor normally. The anchor, a Lewmar 35# Delta, appeared to set normally with a solid bite.

We have anchored in this harbor many times but not in this exact spot. The bottom is sand and mud throughout the harbor and we have never had any issues of any kind.

The next day we decided to travel to another island. We motored forward using the windless to pull up the anchor chain vertical so that the boats bow was directly over the anchor. We then cleated off the chain and eased the boat forward expecting the anchor to lift out of the mud. The chain did not budge.

We then eased the boat forward a second time giving a little more throttle. Again, the anchor held fast as we heard a pop as the forward bolt snapped on the anchor roller. The chain then pulled the anchor roller horizontally clockwise, so that it rotated almost 45 degrees from its normal position away from the forestay. As the anchor roller rotated, it also tore the starboard navigation light off the toe rail and splintered the teak toe rail. The chain then jumped off the anchor roller and onto the base of the bow pulpit and onto a locking device I use to hold the anchor shank so it doesn’t bounce underway. The bow pulpit then bent with the load of the chain and anchor.

With my anchor roller now unusable we then tried to pull the anchor up from different angles by hand. No luck.

I called the Deer Harbor Marina and asked them if they knew of any problems on my side of the Harbor. They said yes, there is an unmarked sailboat in this area that catches anchors. They told me that someone had posted a warning map with GPS coordinates in their laundry room. I suggested that this should be posted at the fuel dock before folks have moored. They gave names for several divers and I left messages with them all.

I got a call back from a diver in an hour. We agreed on a fee and soon ferried him out to my boat using my dingy. He said he was not aware of any obstruction in this area. He dropped down and within 10 minutes had my anchor free. He said I had lodged the anchor into the side of a fiberglass sailboat. It took a fair amount of effort to dislodge the anchor. He then climbed back in the dingy and I pulled the anchor in by hand. We then motored back to the fuel dock where he unloaded his gear and was paid.

I updated the information in the Deer Harbor laundry room with my new coordinates above. I have also submitted this information to the Waggoner Cruising Guide where they then posted this location and a warning.

The damage

The repair is complete!

New anchor roller, 1/2" stainless plate under the roller and headstay, navigation lights and pulpit. Thanks you Port Townsend Shipwrights Coop for the excellent work.