An anchor for anchoring a vessel to an underwater structure. The anchor includes
a shaft and at least three inexpensive flukes each attached to the shaft with a
tension adjustable release mechanism. In use at least one of the inexpensive flukes
grapple onto a portion of the structure securing the vessel in place. If sufficient
tension is applied to the anchor line connecting the anchor to the vessel the release
mechanism releases the inexpensive fluke to free the anchor without damage to the
underwater structure. In a preferred embodiment each of the release mechanisms
includes a spring and a threaded bolt for placing the spring in compression by
compressing the spring between the head of the bolt and a first end of a rod into
which the bolt is screwed. The rod is contained within a tube. A tab on the inexpensive
fluke fits into a slot at the second end of the rod and the tab is trapped in the
slot by the inside surface of the tube. The fluke is released if sufficient tension
is applied to the fluke to first overcome the compressive force applied by the
bolt on the spring and second to extend the rod far enough outside the tube so
that the tab on the fluke is no longer trapped by the inside surface of the tube.
In a preferred embodiment the tension required for release can be adjusted from
about 20 pounds to about 1000 pounds.