Craig,
All four of my bow anchors (That's two boats ) we're always immediately deployable. I utilized a very small anchor roller and installed it in the deck behind the anchor platforms custom made for each bow. A spring push button "horn" pin was except in one case put through the shackle eye on the anchor. The horn pin was secured by lanyard to the base of the bow rail so it could not escape. I tensione dthe anchors with a bungie ... easily replaced and I've found that the chain tensioners were quite capable of delivering a nasty boat bite. You anchor should be able to be deployed NOW!