Procedure During Anchoring Ship

Before arriving at the anchorage, the astern movement of the main engine should be tested. Special attention should be paid to the stoppage distance when the ship is fully loaded, testing shall be recorded in “Deck Log Book”.

Before arriving at the anchorage, information should obtain from Port Authority or Pilot or local Agent about number of ships already at anchor and ships which will arrive in anchorage very soon. Advance measures and cautions should be taken to avoid collision incident.

Prior anchor operation, the following factors should be taken in account of the depth of the anchorage and their bottom nature as well as the present ship’s draft etc., in order to determine the number of cables using for the anchor work.

In the case depth of anchorage between 25-50 meters, anchor work should be treated as anchor in deep water operation. Anchor chains should be walked back by windlass to a depth about 5-10 meters from the bottom and then held by the windlass brake. Anchor is letting go as normal procedures when ship reach the anchor position.

If depth of the anchorage exceeding 50 meters, chains should be walking down to a position nearly or just touch the bottom. Then the anchor chains should be slacked by using brake and engine movements

Keep closely observe and monitoring wind and current direction, and maintain a safe distance from other ships.

During the anchor operation, the Chief Officer at the bow should report the direction and strength of anchor chains to the Master. Master should use engine and steering to reduce the strength of chains.

Responsibilities of Duty Officers at anchor.

To fix anchor position immediately when it is dropped, to mark on Chart the anchor position and ship turning circle and enter Deck Log Book the anchor position, chains slackening, water depth and quality of the bottom. Anchor position should be frequency verified.
Duty Officers should remain on bridge and frequently check anchor position with various lands or navigational marks.
To monitor ships moored nearby, especially the movements of ships moored on upper wind, their bearing and distance should be closely monitored in order to avoid any threat to safety of ship arising from dragging anchor of these ships.
To monitor anchor position of coming ships and it’s turning circle to ensure adequate safe distance between ships. Warnings should be given to other ships by siren or report to Master to handle when the distance is too close.
To closely monitor the movements of passing ships or mooring ships too close when they are leaving. If there is any threat to the safety of ship, warning signals should be given by various means to the violating ship. In the event of collision, movements and time of violating ship, actions taken by own ship and damage sustained, should be recorded in detail together with sketch map for further handling.
To take all possible measures in accordance with different situations to avoid or minimize loss when there is anchor dragging of either by own ship or other ships or when other ships passing by too close creating an imminent dangerous situation. These measures including report to Master at once, assigning S.G.1 to slacken chains or cast off another anchor, using fenders, informing engine room to standby engine.
To frequently verify anchor position when ship is moored in strong current area or in heavy weather, to patrol on deck, to check another chains and chain stopper or brake and supervise S.G.1 to inspect anchor chains, windlass and anchor gear one an hour.
To earnestly implement the relevant rules of International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea when Ship encounters poor visibility. S.G.1 should be sent to strike bells on the bow and gongs in the aft deck and turn on deck lighting on each deck. Addition to the above fog signal sounded, “short, long, short” blast should be sounded to warn ship approaching ours with danger of collision.
To pay particular attention to mooring lines, fenders and rope ladders of ships/barges moored alongside during loading/discharging operation. In addition to fulfillment of responsibilities in respect of loading/discharging during mooring; and to promptly slack off anchor chains in accordance with instructions of Master.
To supervise watch-seaman to raise and lower flag and anchor ball on time. To turn on/off anchor and deck lights, various signals and signal lights.
To earnestly implement working instructions of Master.
To monitor the movements of surrounding boats and to prevent pirates and thieves.

Read: Ship At Anchoring

Hand-over items of Duty Officers at anchor.

Anchor position and condition of anchor and chains.
Times of high/low tide and ship turning.
Distance and bearings of surrounding ships and their movements.
Display of signal and signal lights.
Weather condition and issues deserving attention in bad weather (e.g. poor visibility, storm).
For hand-over items in respect of loading/discharging, refer to hand-over items of Duty Officer in berth.
Safety issues deserving attention in respect of ships/barges moored alongside.

Items deserving Master’s attention at anchor.

Master should, prior to anchoring, select good and safe anchorage and determine the length of chains to be used, in accordance with water depth, quality of the bottom, surrounding circumstance and other conditions such as weather, wind, current. Instructions issued to Duty Officers on anchor watch. Frequently inspect and supervise crew members on duty to earnestly implement anchor regulations and Instructions.

Read: Ship Mooring Equipment

When ship is at anchor, Master should pay attention to the following items and promptly assign duties to Officers or direct ship personally:

To supervise Chief Officer or crew member at bow. Carefully inspect brake liners of windlass, clutch, and chains stopper after each use of anchor. To closely observe and monitor wind direction, wind force, tide and current.
To pay attention to turning direction of ship, to re-anchor every 3 or 4 days if ship turns to one direction only so as to avoid chains fouling, and kinking of anchor and chain.
To pay particular attention to time of high/low tides, current speed, water depth, bottom quality and other factors if ship is moored in river and various safety measures should be ready for immediate action.
Moreover, main engine should be used when necessary to help ship turning in low tide due to narrow space which will avoid grounding.
Moreover, main engine should be used when necessary to help ship turning in low tide due to narrow space which will avoid grounding.
Been moored for a long period of time or ship is pitching heavily because of bad weather so as to change friction parts and avoids chain being damaged.
To slack off more shackles of chains in accordance with increasing load on ship. Besides various safety measures should be considered and adopted for loading/discharging while ship is moored at anchor.
To inform Chief Officer about the depth of water and let go anchor in accordance with procedure of dropping anchor in deep water to avoid breakage of anchor chain or loss of anchor.
To frequently supervise and check crew members on anchor watch, an to correct errors, if any.

The engineer in engineering watch shall insure that:

The watch is efficiently kept with the manning disposed by Chief Engineer.
Inspections of all operating and stand-by machinery are made in proper intervals.
The main engine and other machinery are maintained in a state of readiness as agreed with the bridge and in accordance with their orders.
All control and monitoring systems are in order.

Marine Engineering