Self-installing anchor

The self-installing anchor is configured for falling vertically through the water, embedding vertically into the soil, rotating and translating diagonally deeper through the soil in response to the anchor line load being transmitted to it, and achieving its maximum holding capacity with the anchor line acting normal to the fluke. In various implementations, a coupling mechanism at one end of the shank is engaged with a bearing surface at an entry end of the fluke to hold the shank close to the fluke while falling through the water and embedding vertically into the soil. The coupling mechanism provides eccentricity to the load applied and allows for the rotation of the anchor. The coupling mechanism is disengaged at a predetermined angle, liberating one end of the shank, and the point of application of the force on the anchor is modified to make it dive deeper into the soil.