what is a shackle in boating

In boating, a shackle is a U-shaped, load-bearing connecting device that is designed to be used with a removable pin. It is used to connect different types of lifting slings, chains, or ropes to an object or to each other. In the context of ship anchoring, a shackle is a unit of length and equal to 15 fathoms or 90 feet, and is the standard length of a chain. The detachable link, also known as the Kenter shackle, is the link from where the number of shackles is counted. It is usually painted red, and on either side of it, there are links that are painted white. The number of white links on either side of the Kenter shackle indicates the number of shackles. Most ships carry an anchor chain of 10 shackles or more, which amounts to 275 meters or more worth of anchor cable. In ship anchoring, the ordinary shackle is used to join the anchor at the anchor end and the chain in the.