Editing Catenary (section)

==Anchoring of marine objects==
[[File:Catenary.PNG|thumb|right|250px|A heavy [[anchor]] chain forms a catenary, with a low angle of pull on the anchor.]]
The catenary produced by gravity provides an advantage to heavy [[wikt:rode#Noun|anchor rodes]]. An anchor rode (or anchor line) usually consists of chain or cable or both. Anchor rodes are used by ships, oil rigs, docks, [[floating wind turbine]]s, and other marine equipment which must be anchored to the seabed.

When the rope is slack, the catenary curve presents a lower angle of pull on the [[anchor]] or mooring device than would be the case if it were nearly straight. This enhances the performance of the anchor and raises the level of force it will resist before dragging. To maintain the catenary shape in the presence of wind, a heavy chain is needed, so that only larger ships in deeper water can rely on this effect. Smaller boats also rely on catenary to maintain maximum holding power.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/catenary.php |title=Chain, Rope, and Catenary – Anchor Systems For Small Boats |website=Petersmith.net.nz |access-date=2010-11-17}}</ref>

[[Cable ferries]] and [[chain boat]]s present a special case of marine vehicles moving although moored by the two catenaries each of one or more cables (wire ropes or chains) passing through the vehicle and moved along by motorized sheaves. The catenaries can be evaluated graphically.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hupi.org/HPeJ/0033/0033.html |title=Efficiency of Cable Ferries - Part 2 |website=Human Power eJournal |access-date=2023-12-08}}</ref>