SHIP AT ANCHOR

 Ship Anchoring

Always first check that the area below the anchor is clear of small craft, tugs, etc before lowering or letting go (or heave-in).

Before letting go always “walk back” (lower in gear) the anchor out of the hawse pipe and clear of the bulbous bow (particularly important if vessel rolling). 

In waters up to 20 metres deep, anchor and cable can be let go on the run. 

In waters over 20 metres deep, the anchor should be first walked out to within 5-6 metres of the sea bed and then let go.

This ensures the anchor will not be damaged from falling a considerable distance onto a hard bottom and also that the cable will not take charge and run out of control. This is particularly important when anchoring a large loaded vessel. Before letting go it is preferable to have a slight astern movement over ground or as in the case of a large loaded vessel, nil speed over ground.

Read: Procedure During Anchoring

Ensure windlass operator and others in the vicinity wear goggles, hard hat, safety shoes and a good pair of overalls.Ensure adequate communication is established and maintained between bridge and focs’le.

When vessel has anchored and brake applied ensure cable stopper is lowered and correctly positioned with lashings to prevent jumping. Cable stoppers form an integral part of cable restraint equipment and are designed to take the anchor loads.

After heaving up anchor and before entering open seas, ensure anchor is not twisted and when heaving the anchor home that the flukes are gently hove hard up against the hull. Cable stoppers must also be in position together with securing chains.

To prevent flooding of chain locker at sea ensure spurling pipes are properly covered and chain therein lashed.

SHIP AT ANCHOR

During vessel anchoring a continuous BRIDGE WATCH should be maintained by officer Whenever the ship is at anchor a continuous anchor watch should be  maintained. The officer of the watch should:

1. Ensure that the vessel exhibits the appropriate lights and shapes and that in restricted visibility the appropriate sound signals are made. 
2. Ensure that VHF watch and efficient lookout is maintained. 
3. Ensure that the state of readiness of the main engines and other machinery is in accordance with the Master’s instructions. 
4. Determine and plot the ship’s position on the appropriate chart as soon as practicable and at sufficiently frequent intervals, check this position by taking bearings of fixed navigational marks and/or marks monitored by automatic radar plotting aids or readily identifiable shore objects. 
5. Check compass error. 
6. Observe weather, tidal and sea conditions. 
7. Notify the Master if the vessel drags its anchor and undertake all necessary remedial measures. 
8. Notify the Master if visibility deteriorates. 
9. Ensure that an inspection of the vessel is made periodically. 
10. In appropriate circumstances maintain anti piracy precautions as laid down in the Master’s standing orders. 
11. When vessel alongside, properly secure anchors at all times. 
12. Anchoring in ice. This procedure should be avoided unless there is no alternative.