Anchors and Anchoring An anchor is a

Anchors and Anchoring

An anchor is a device attached to a ship by a cable and cast overboard to hold her in a particular place.

The anchor developed from a simple stone

into a sophisticated construction of a weighted wooden hook,

that the ancient Romans replaced by an anchor made of cast iron and lead.

The anchors, currently in use, are the stock anchor,

here in a hung-off position,

the stockless anchor

and modern innovative offshore anchors, like adjustable Bruce anchors

and suction anchors,

that are used to moor platforms in deep seas.

Usual types of ship anchors include the Spek or Matrosov anchor

and high holding power (HHP) anchors, like the Pool anchor

and the AC 14 anchor.

Mushroom anchors are used to moor lightvessels and lightbuoys onto their stations.

Sinkers are a cheap alternative for mooring buoys and small craft.

An ice anchor

is used to moor a ship to fast ice.

Anchors and anchor gear make up a ship’s ground tackle.

A windlass,

an anchor winch

or a cable holder are all used to heave up or walk out the anchor

and the anchor chain.

The anchor chain consists of links shackles.

The length of the anchor chain is measured in shackles, that are marked.

The anchor chain leads through the hawsepipe

over the chain stopper

and the gypsy wheel

through the spurling pipe

into the chain locker.

The gypsy wheel is fitted with a clutch (1) and a band brake (2). 2 1

Every ship there has means to release the bitter end link in emergency.

Here the windlass controls are situated in a position from which the anchor and the cable can be monitored.

Stoppers and lashings are used to secure the anchors during the sea-passage,

whereas spurling pipes are cemented

unless it is practicable to avoid the chain locker being flooded.

Anchor pockets help to reduce drag effect and damage resulting from contact with other ships and shore structures.

Usually, ships carry a spare anchor.

Anchor booms are used on dredging vessels to deploy anchors.

Anchor handling tugs handle

offshore anchors

that keep floating oil rigs in place.

Ships use anchors in a number of situations : when lightering

or bunkering in the roads,

when waiting for a berth in port

or for transit through a canal,

when mooring in an onshore wind

or heavy swell,

or on mooring buoys,

when dredging anchor,

when launching a new build vessel

or bringing the ship to a stop in emergencies

to prevent running aground

or total loss. . .

Ships may ride to one anchor,

two anchors

or be moored to two anchors.

The procedure of bringing a ship to anchor starts with passage planning, using charts,

actual weather information

and information systems like AIS.

The OOW informs

the Engineer on duty to prepare the engine for manoeuvring,

the Boatswain (Bosun) to prepare the anchor gear

and the master to handle the anchoring manoeuvre.

The crew on the forecastle remains stand-by.

The headway is run off and the ship is brought up.

Then, the anchor is lowered

and let go …. .

The anchor bites and digs itself in.

Usually it takes time for the anchor cable to settle, especially when several shackles were dropped at once.

The crew on the forecastle report, how the anchor cable is leading,

how many shackles of anchor chain have been paid out

and whether the anchor chain is holding or dragging.

When the anchor is holding, the anchor ball must be hoisted

Anchor lights and deck lights are switched on during dark hours.

The OOW will take anchorage bearings and soundings.

During anchor watches, the ship’s position must be continuously monitored,

especially, when riding to anchor in rough weather

or when anchored in in a crowded anchorage area.

The anchor cable should not lead around the bow.

When the anchor starts dragging, the engine should be started and run ahead immediately

in order to prevent disaster.

Hauling up anchor

and heaving up anchor require care and attention

in order to prevent jamming,

entangling,

or fouling one’s anchor (chain)

and to heave it home clean and clear.

Breaking out an anchor must be done carefully to avoid excessive strain.

The process of anchor retrieval goes through different stages.

When an anchor(chain) has got stuck, diving support might be necessary.

In this picture, a yachtsman is trying to remove a rock that fouled his anchor.

Replacing a lost anchor requires organisation and creativity.

Here, a Kenter shackle (1) and a DShackle (2) were used to connect the anchor to the anchor chain.

The anchor is an important symbol of common hope and sincerity. Thank you for your attention.