Cable

A heavy rope, wire rope or chain used for anchoring, mooring, towing or other load-bearing service.

In traditional and regulatory language, an anchor cable may be chain, rope or a combination of both. The word also has electrical and communications meanings aboard a vessel, so context is important.

Cable strength, elasticity, weight, corrosion, chafe, bend radius, terminations and inspection requirements depend on its material and duty. A cable length is also a historical unit, but its value is not sufficiently uniform for precise modern navigation unless a convention is stated.