Fishy Finger I only ever practice lifting my anchor in calm conditions, with a 13ft Boston Whaler if it aint calm, I dont go!
Thanks for the info on the "Alderney Ring" I saw it on one of the Australian or New Zealand fishing programmes on Sky & gave it a try. They did emphasise that you have to be travelling at an angle to keep the warp away from the prop, but they didn't give you the distance between caribiner & bouy, so I initially clipped one onto the other, without success, but what I have cobbled up now works fine, provided you keep away from the warp.
My main concern is if the anchor is stuck, & you go tight on it with the engine running, I assume you then take on the "Nautilus" attitude, & join Captain Nemo?
If I am fishing on broken ground or near a wreck I always lift by hand for safety sake, but I am a lazy sod!