what does the anchor and ark symbolise in the royal ark mariner degree and do writers agree on it

In the Craft, the anchor and ark are explained as symbols of hope and safety 1. Saint Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews provided the early Christian source for the anchor as a symbol of an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, amidst a stormy life voyage 1. The combination of the anchor and ark passed from Christian tomb inscriptions into Masonic usage to emblemize that hope which carries the voyager safely into port 1.

The provided library materials do not contain any passages directly addressing the Royal Ark Mariner degree or its specific interpretation of these symbols, nor do they record differing views among writers on that specific degree.

In the Craft—specifically in the Third Degree—the emblem of the ark and anchor signifies a well-grounded hope and a well-spent life 1. This reading draws directly from early Christian iconography rather than ancient classical symbolism 1. The Roman goddess of hope, Spes, was depicted holding a cup and her garments, whereas the anchor as a symbol of hope originated with early Christians 1.

Mackey traces the anchor symbol to the Catacombs of Rome and Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews, which describes hope as "an anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast" 1. The accompanying image of the ship or ark—derived from Christian symbolism representing the Church navigating a stormy world—was integrated into Freemasonry to emblemize the Divine ark wafting the individual safely over a tempestuous life to a peaceful harbor 1.

The supplied library sources contain no materials on the Royal Ark Mariner degree itself, nor do they explain how or when these symbols were introduced into that specific body. Whether this emblem was adopted independently by the Royal Ark Mariner degree or directly adapted from the Craft lecture remains unstated in the available passages.