I have this fitting mounted on the starboard side, right up near the bow just down from the toerail. I have no idea what it is.
I submit it to the brains trust, can somebody help please.

many thanks

Looks like some sort of chain dog to me. Don't know why it would be mounted there

Looks like an outboard support for an awkward type anchor.( Danforth or Admiralty maybe

as Jolene said admiralty anchor support

Yep that makes sense

That is exactly what it is bet your boat is from South Australia.

Thanks to all.
Yep, I'm with Jolene. In context now it makes sense. And yes Will, my boat started life as a bareboat charter out of Port Lincoln SA. I still have the original typewritten "instruction manual" from the charter co.

Wow, will those three screws hold if the bow runs into a steep oncoming wave and ploughs into solid water ?

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Karsten said..
Wow, will those three screws hold if the bow runs into a steep oncoming wave and ploughs into solid water ?

Good point. Although it's bolted on, I think the stress cracks at the bottom show that it wasn't too happy. I'll never use it, and probly end up removing it anyway.

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Karsten said..
Wow, will those three screws hold if the bow runs into a steep oncoming wave and ploughs into solid water ?

The stress cracks are probably only in the gel coat and possibly due to the holes not being countersunk.