Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Ministry of People Power for University Education
Maritime University of Caribbean
ING-663 SVC-A-OP
Anchoring Operations
Cadets: Professor:
• Tamiche Luis Crescencio Marotta
• Rodríguez Gabriel
October 25th, 2022
Introduction
Anchoring is one of the most frequent operations onboard ships. A number of
variables and external factors influence the duration and location of an anchoring
operation, While the types of seabed is of utmost importance during anchoring.
Basic Terms Definition
• What is anchoring operation: It’s a nautical
maneuver that consists in immobilizing a vessel, it
means, fix the vessel to the seabed, usually by an
anchor or a sinker deposited at the sea bottom.
• Anchor: Is a heavy device usually made of metal that
attached to a chain, is thrown into the water to
connect the vessel to the seabed and prevent the
drifting due to the wind or sea currents.
• Windlass: Is a mechanical device used
mainly to pick up the chain of the anchor.
• Anchorage Area: Is the place where we
can anchor the ship safety.
• Chain: Is the component that attaches the
anchor to the vessel or marine structure.
The amount of anchor chain you need drop
depend on weather conditions, for example:
Good weather, short stay: 3 times the
depth
Good weather, long stay: 5 times the
depth
Unstable weather: 7 times the depth
Bad weather: 9 times the depth
Hurricane: 11 times the depth
• Chain stopper: It is a device similar to a
hook that secures the anchor chain when
the anchor is raised and holds the anchor
while the ship is underway.
• Shackle: It is a connecting device used
for linking rigging systems.
• Swivel: It is a rotating device used to
attach the anchor to the chain in order to
prevent chain twisting as the vessel moves
around in the anchorage.
Choice of a Secure Anchorage Area
The chosen place Seabed, class and Sea Depth.
inclination Swing Zone
It should be taken care that It is the area where the ship
the anchoring bottom is can move when it is
free of power lines, Soft muddy grounds or clay anchored by the action of
submarine cables, pipelines bottoms are best preferred. the wind and sea currents
Anchoring Operations
Release the
Prepare the anchor Position the
windlass anchor
Letting go (dropping the anchor)
Finally, The anchor
release the and the chain
Drive the
chain come out
vessel in
reverse slowly
Failure During Anchoring Operations
Foul anchor
A pipeline impacted by an anchor. On the left
Broken anchor the damaged pipeline can be seen, while the
right shows the impacting anchor.
Loss anchor
Considerations Efficient
communication
During Anchoring
Operations P.P.E Personal
protection
During execution equipment
stage the following Check the working
items have to of windlass and its
considered control
Visually check of
the anchor
Conclusion
Anchoring operations must be present on all existing vessels, because, without this, a
vessel would not be able to remain in one place while doing its job. To have a good anchor,
different elements must be present such as: the windlass, the chain, the anchor, the deck
officer, the sailors, etc. Without them, the funding would be impossible. In addition, the
deck officer must be aware that the process carried out on deck is risk free, material,
human and ecosystem damage could occur without efficient supervision. It is also
important that the ship is in a specific anchorage area, in this area it is known to a greater
extent how its seabed is therefore many inconveniences will be avoided.
