Kedge

To move or turn a vessel by hauling towards an anchor or other secure point laid away from it.

The anchor may be carried out by a boat, deployed from the vessel or set by another suitable method, after which a windlass, capstan, winch or tackle hauls the vessel along the rode. Repeating the process can move a vessel when propulsion or sailing is unavailable or inappropriate.

Kedging demands verified depth, holding ground, anchor capacity, attachment strength and a clear line of pull. Loaded rodes and machinery create severe snap-back and entanglement hazards, and the operation must account for traffic, current, wind and the means of recovering the anchor.