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A device fitted to the deck ahead of the windlass, to prevent the anchor chain from moving out on its own, or to take the strain off the windlass when the vessel is riding to its anchor. If windlass breaks are not holding the weight of the anchor cable, it can be transferred to the bow stopper. Usually, at anchor when the vessel has brought up to, the bow stopper is placed and the windlass is disengaged from the gear system to avoid slipping of anchor cable due to wind & current.