What is the purpose of a devil's claw?

Question 1 / 2707066636ee728f7522a1c5186ea

Question 1 of 2707066636ee728f7522a1c5186ea

Question 1 of 27070

What is the purpose of a devil's claw?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Anchor handling gear on the forecastle, including windlass, wildcat, and chain stoppers • How anchor chain is secured at sea when the windlass is not meant to hold the load • Difference between controlling movement of the chain vs. securing/locking it in place

💭 Think About

• Think about which device is primarily responsible for actually securing the anchor chain when the ship is at sea and not anchoring • Ask yourself: does a devil's claw normally control rotation of any part of the windlass, or does it grab and hold the chain itself? • Consider what equipment is used when you want to take the strain off the windlass brake so the brake is not carrying the full load of the anchor and chain

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which piece of gear is physically attached to the chain itself rather than the windlass drum or wildcat • Confirm which item is officially classified as a form of chain stopper in standard seamanship texts • Double-check whether a devil’s claw is used during anchor handling underway versus while actually heaving up or paying out on the windlass

Question 1 of 27070

What is the purpose of a devil's claw?

It will prevent the chain from fouling on deck

It prevent the windlass from engaging

It controls the wildcat

It acts as a chain stopper