The tube is made of plastic electrical conduit; it won't get brittle from UV damage like white PVC. The red tarp ties (6" loop of shock cord with a single ball) keeps the anchor from bouncing around and catching on the mainsheet. Another tarp tie loop (not shown in this picture) from the starboard cleat to the ladder supports the ladder in the raised position, keeping the weight of the anchor from pulling the ladder down. The blue tarp tie you see here is used only during trailering to secure the chain. The balls on the tarp ties make it easy to pull the bungies off quickly.