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Firstly trying to apportion blame is not a good way to deal with safety matters on a ship.
On a ship we all have a responsibility for safety.
Yes ultimately the Captain is responsible however who hired the Captain? Surely he was hired because of his experience and ability.
I feel there may be another conflict here. The engineer appears to have some kind of financial interest in the vessel and therefore feels the Captain is working for him which is not an ideal situation.
TSIV is right the best way to deal with is to develop an ISM type approach to your routine for stowing for sea and looking after the gear.
I strongly disagree with trying to make the Captain financially responsible (in many situations this would be illegal).
If he is totally incompetent then he should be removed from his position however if this is a case then you should review your hiring procedures (again using an ISM type of approach). Checking references and tickets etc.
Likewise in my opinion an owner who doesn't have faith in your competence and expects or even considers that his crew should pay for incidental damage or equipment failure is not worth working for.
Some years ago I was on a very prestigious yacht that had undergone a survey in Marseille the anchor and chain were very thoroughly inspected by Lloyds and by very experienced and highly qualified crew.
After leaving the drydock we had to lower anchor in Marseille harbour when it was hauled the anchor was not there the shackle at the end (I don't know the name I'm not a deckie!) had failed
It took five days for divers to find it in the mud.
Equipment can fail in the most surprising way.
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