The Britannia P&I Club has issued guidance on the subject of anchor loss, highlighting its implications for both safety and commercial operations within the maritime industry.
According to Britannia, the ongoing issue of ship anchor loss compromises a vessel’s ability to anchor safely until repairs or replacements are made and leads to significant commercial repercussions. These repercussions may include an inability to dock at certain ports and the need for alternative safety measures, such as employing escort tugs when entering port.
Depending on the location of any anchor or anchor chain loss, the shipowner may be ordered to retrieve this material from the seabed, resulting in a costly retrieval operation.
Recent research on anchor losses indicates that the most common causes are:
- Windlass machinery failure, preventing the recovery of the anchor and chain
- Failure of anchor connections to the chain
- Excessive loading of anchor chain due to operational error
Attention is drawn to articles on anchoring in general and the prevention of anchor dragging, which provide useful information on safe and efficient anchoring.
To reduce the likelihood of anchor loss and assist in case of such an event, the following general guidelines are recommended:
- Conduct maintenance in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions for windlass motors, and perform sufficient operational testing before deploying the anchor.
- Regularly conduct visual inspections of windlass parts. Any misalignment, uneven wear, or damage noted should prompt seeking technical advice.
- Ensure adequate greasing and lubrication of windlass components. This may involve removing guards or rotating the windlass for full coverage, which can be accomplished safely with proper planning and controls.
- When using the windlass motor, confirm smooth operation and investigate any unusual noises or deviations from the norm.
- Frequently inspect accessible anchor chain parts for missing or dislodged securing pins. Ensure that any swivel is free and well-greased, and check for substantial corrosion of chain links.
- When lowering or weighing the anchor, visually examine the anchor and the anchor chain for distortion, excessive movement, or missing/dislodged studs. If anomalies are noted, take pictures or videos if possible, and record the position of the identified issue before seeking advice from the classification society.
- When weighing anchor, utilize the anchor wash and, if possible, direct additional water spray at the anchor crown to help remove any foreign material that may prevent the crown pin from moving freely. Controlled lowering and visual inspection of anchors from the quayside or boat is recommended when conditions and facilities allow.
- Confirm the expected environmental conditions that the onboard anchor system is designed to withstand and incorporate this into the anchor plan prepared onboard. Consider the extra load that may be expected during ship-to-ship or lightering activities.
- Accurately plot the position of the deployed anchor, noting that the position displayed at the ship’s wheelhouse is generally the position of the receiver’s antenna, which can differ significantly from the actual anchor position.
- When weighing anchor, use the ship’s engines to reduce loading on the anchor and chain. Maneuvering towards the anchor position reduces the likelihood of dragging the anchor. The goal should be to recover towards the anchor, rather than pulling the anchor towards the ship.
It is recommended that ships confirm the availability of anchor and anchor cable certificates to facilitate identification in the event of anchor loss.
Anchor loss is a disruptive and costly event that can jeopardize the safety of both the crew and the ship. To minimize preventable failures, following best practices and treating the anchoring system as critical equipment is essential.
