Ex-Google engineer co-launches anchor alarm app

Anchor Easy, a GPS anchor watch application for iOS and Android devices, has been launched for sailors who spend extended periods at anchor and want a monitoring tool.

The app has been developed by sailors Dagmar and Marc Schröder, who also produce the sailing YouTube channel Leinen Los.

Drawing on Marc Schröder’s 11 years of experience as a software engineer at Google, the duo developed a new application that they say prioritises stable performance within the constraints of mobile operating systems, while keeping the user interface straightforward and enabling remote access from a secondary device.

The user interface (pictured left) was developed with input from Dagmar, who has a professional background in graphic design.

“Being a sailor myself, I built the app such that it does the things you need in the real world,” says Marc. “We needed an app that was not only robust in its core function of monitoring the anchor but also simple to operate in the dark, in any situation, and observable from ashore without a complicated setup.”

The application incorporates an alarm system that notifies users of anchor drift, GPS signal loss and low battery levels on the monitoring device. Alerts are triggered when predefined parameters are exceeded.

A feature referred to as “Boat Group” also enables remote monitoring from a second device connected via the internet. This is designed to handle situations in which crew members leave the vessel but still want to check its status. The system links devices so that anchor position and alarm status can be reviewed without complex configuration.

For mooring arrangements that involve shorelines or additional anchors, the app includes a “Lines Ashore” mode. This setting monitors the vessel’s heading within a defined wedge and is intended to support scenarios where the boat’s movement is constrained by multiple fixed points. The anchor can be set within the app by tapping the chart display, selecting a position from a distance by pointing or dragging the anchor icon on the map interface.

The application also records previous anchor positions. This anchor history function automatically stores previous locations, allowing users to review or return to previously used anchoring spots.

“It’s important to me that the design is clean and beautiful,” says Dagmar. “An app you rely on for safety should feel calm and intuitive, not cluttered or confusing.”

The visual layout is intended to support readability in low-light conditions and to limit on-screen complexity during operation.

Anchor Easy availability

Anchor Easy is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The application can be downloaded without charge. Additional features are offered through a subscription model.