Funding support for the Big Anchor Project 

The Big Anchor Project, managed by the Nautical Archaeology Society has received significant grant funding from the Honor Frost Foundation to help develop the project website and resources and to design a project App to help people record anchors in real time.

Since 2009 the Big Anchor Project has been developing a global tool for the research and identification of anchors, from ancient stone to modern steel. The project encourages and enables both researchers and the general public to collect and share information on anchors around the world in a simple, fun and consistent format. Via the project web site www.biganchorproject.com this valuable information is then made freely-accessible via an online database.

The Big Anchor Project Phase 3 Development, will create several enhanced features of this successful crowd sourced recording initiative which empowers public volunteers to record historic anchors around the world.  Phase 3 developments will include translated anchor recording forms, the creation of “how to record” videos for training volunteers, the development of a “stockless anchor” recording methodology as well as the enhancement of stone anchor submissions into the database.

The NAS will be working with 3DeepMedia to design and launch an exciting new Big Anchor Project mobile device application. The App will interface with the project website meaning that everybody will be able to record and upload their anchor finds to the database quickly and easily.

Mark Beattie-Edwards, CEO of the NAS has stressed that "These much-needed developments will create a truly 21st century tool for studying and sharing information on this iconic symbol of our maritime past. The support of the Honor Frost Foundation has come at a really crucial time for both the NAS and the project."

The Honor Frost Foundation highlighted that "Honor Frost became known as the Lady of Anchors, she pioneered the development of a typology for stone and stock anchors and developed a standard methodology for studying stone anchors. The Foundation is therefore delighted to be supporting the Big Anchor Project, building on Honor's work and enabling the study of anchors from all periods across the globe."

Aims and objectives of the Big Anchor Project Phase 3 Development are:

• To develop a global tool for the identification and research of anchors, from ancient stone to modern steel;
• To encourage and train researchers and the general public in collecting information on anchors around the world in a simple, fun and consistent format;
• To provide a freely-accessible, online database which provides a valuable tool for anybody undertaking research or with a general interest in the subject.

The objectives of the Phase 3 Development proposal are:

• To translate all anchor recording forms into Arabic, Greek, Spanish and Chinese;
• To create three “how to record” videos for training volunteers;
• To develop a “stockless anchor” recording methodology and database enhancement;
• To design and launch a mobile device application (App) for tablet computers and mobile phones that allows people to record anchors quickly and upload their data to the project database in a modern efficient way;
• To link the new Big Anchor Project App to the project website to ensure integration of all data collected using the new App;
• To support the mass enhancement of stone anchor submissions into the database.

 

Work on the the Phase 3 Development will begin in April 2021 and is planned to be completed by the end of the year.

Get Involved and Support 

If you would like to get involved contact Mark at [email protected] or would like to support the Big Anchor Project you can do so on our Appeals page here: https://www.nauticalarchaeologysociety.org/Appeal/big-anchor-project-appeal

A text donation of £5 can be sent by texting ANCHOR5 to 70085 or ANCHOR10 to donate £10.00 (texts cost the donated amount plus your standard message rate)

Find out more about the Honor Frost Foundation here: https://honorfrostfoundation.org/