The length of the anchor chain is measured in 'Length or Shackle'. The standard length of each anchor chain in our country is 27.5m, and in practice, there are also sections of 25m. In countries using the British system, 15 Fathom units are used as a section, while the metric system is approximately 27.5m. A complete anchor chain consists of three types of links: anchor end links, middle links, and end links. Except for chain links with swivel rings, the number of chain links in each anchor chain should be odd to ensure that the connecting chain links or connecting shackles can smoothly pass through the slot of the chain wheel when passing through the anchor chain wheel.  [2]2026-04-06

Anchor end chain link

At the front end of the anchor chain, the ES is directly connected to the anchor release buckle of the first anchor, which is the first section of the anchor chain. In addition to regular chain links, there are usually anchor chain accessories such as end shackles, end chain links, enlarged chain links, and swivel links, as shown in Figure 4 (a). For the convenience of maintenance, these accessories are often combined into a detachable anchor chain segment, called a swivel group, which is connected to the chain link body by connecting the chain links (or shackles). There are various forms of chain link combinations in a chain link group, and one typical form is shown in Figure 4 (b). The opening direction of the end release buckle can be determined according to the user's requirements, and it is often in the same direction as the anchor release buckle (facing the anchor) to reduce wear and jamming between it and the lower anchor lip during anchoring.

According to regulations, the anchor chain should be equipped with a swivel at one end of the connecting anchor. The purpose of setting a swivel is to prevent excessive twisting of the anchor chain during anchoring. The ring bolt of the swivel should face the middle chain link to reduce friction and jamming. The ring bolt and its body should be on the same centerline and able to rotate freely. Nowadays, a new type of connecting accessory, Swivel Shackle (SW. S), is also commonly used. One type is Type A, which is directly installed on the anchor instead of the anchor release buckle. Another type is B-type, which is installed at the end of the anchor chain instead of the end release buckle and connected to the anchor release buckle. After setting the swivel and end release buckle, the anchor chain link can be left without swivel and end release buckle, as shown in Figure 4 (c).  

End chain link

The end link is the last section of the anchor chain, connected to the anchor thrower. In general, the end chain link is not equipped with a swivel ring, and its end chain link is connected to the anchor thrower. Its matching form is shown in Figure 5. In order to systematically swap the two ends of the anchor chain, a chain link configuration similar to that of the anchor end chain link can also be used, with a swivel but no end release buckle. At this time, the swivel bolt should also face the middle chain link.  [2]

middle shot 

The middle chain link is the anchor chain link between the anchor end chain link and the end chain link, as shown in Figure 6. If the intermediate links are connected by connecting links, all of their links are ordinary links. If a link shackle is used for connection, the opening of the connecting shackle should face towards the inside of the ship.

According to the regulations and national standards in our country, the joints of anchor chains with gears are connected by Kent shackles, while the joints of anchor chains without gears are connected by connecting shackles. The enlarged chain link of a non stop anchor chain is a non stop ring that is one step larger than a regular chain link.