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What To Do When Your Ship Is Dragging Anchor?

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What To Do When Your Ship Is Dragging


Anchor?

By Dilipan Thomas | In: Marine Navigation | Last Updated on May 4, 2016

5.0K
o SHARES j 5.0K s 5 f 2 h 6

A merchant vessel is said to be having a dragging anchor when the vessel drifts without holding
power inspite of being anchored. Dragging anchor has been the reason for several accidents such
as collision, grounding, or stranding.

Merchant vessels stay at anchorage for various reasons:

Waiting for berthing prospectus


Cargo discharge and loading
For carrying out maintenance , hatch cleaning
Waiting for Instructions from owners or charters
Quarantine etc.

The main reason for a vessel dragging its anchor is because of rough weather conditions. In such
situations, it is extremely important for seafarers to collect all necessary information to familiarise
with the situation and prevent dragging of anchor as much as possible. Some important
parameters that needs to be considered are:

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What To Do When Your Ship Is Dragging Anchor?

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Prevailing weather condition of that particular area


Safe position for anchoring the vessel
Wind and tidal behaviour of that area
Contact information of port authorities in case of assistance required etc.

At most ports, it is inevitable for a vessel to wait at anchorage and the time at anchorage canbe for
days or even weeks. During such times,the master and ship crew should identify possible dangers
to the ship and make all the necessary preparations.

A vessel dragging anchor is a threat to its own and also to other vessels in the vicinity, often
leading to an emergency situation such as collision, grounding or stranding, depending on the
manoeuvrable condition of the ship.

In such situations,aA quick assessment of the situation can only be achieved by a vigilant bridge
watch, contingency plan to tackle any emergency, quick response and good judgment of the
situation. It may take some time to weigh the anchor and restore the vessel to its full manoeuvrable
condition, but no serious accident should happen if there is enough sea room and time to do so.

http://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/ship-dragging-anchor/[15-Dec-16 9:50:06 AM]


What To Do When Your Ship Is Dragging Anchor?

Followingpoints should beconsidered by a seafarer prior anchoring where dragging anchor is


predicated:

Take on heavy weather ballast, taking in to account the stability of the vessel and depth of
water below the keel
Pay out more anchor cable depending on the size of the vessel and weather condition
Keep a safe distance from other anchored ships, shoals and other dangers, leaving room
for manoeuvring
Weigh anchor and shift the vessel to different position away from the vicinity of other
vessels, provided prior permission is received from VTS of that area, port authorities and
owners orders
Increase the efficiency of the bridge team by adding an extra lookout
Keep the main engines standby for manoeuvrability

http://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/ship-dragging-anchor/[15-Dec-16 9:50:06 AM]


What To Do When Your Ship Is Dragging Anchor?

How to assess the vessel is dragging its anchor?

Check the ships position at frequent intervals, to confirm if the vessel is outside the
swinging circle. Use all available means, both visual and electronic equipment such as
GPS, RADAR and ECDIS, to make the appraisal of the situation. If the vessel deviates
from the circle, it is likely to be dragging its anchor
The bow cannot stand against the wind
Check anchor chains for slipping, a small pole with a cloth as flag like arrangement can be
tied to the links to understand the slipping of anchor chains
Extra vibration and weight on anchor cable
Check the speed over ground (SOG) when the vessel is swinging, the SOG can increase
variably and this should not be misinterpreted
Check the course recorder for figure of eight motion locus
Also monitor the position and distance of vessels nearby. In case if they are dragging
counter measures to be taken to safe guard own vessel

What actions to be taken if the vessel has started dragging anchor?

Master to be informed, do not hesitate to call him at any time of the day, his experience

http://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/ship-dragging-anchor/[15-Dec-16 9:50:06 AM]


What To Do When Your Ship Is Dragging Anchor?

and decision making authority is vital in any give situation


Inform engine room and start the main engine with the permission from the master and
give power to windlass if it is not already given. Make the vessel ready for manoeuvring
Stop all cargo operations and prepare vessel for manoeuvring. Let go cargo barges and
crane barges if they are alongside
Inform and alert Vessel traffic system (VTS) and other vessels nearby about the condition
and inform about the actions taken. Seek permission for re-anchoring
Start heaving up the anchor and once the vessels manoeuvrability is restored, shift the
anchorage position where drifting can be safer or take to the open sea
Deploy more cablse or drop a second anchor (not recommended for big vessels) before
the speed of dragging of the vessel increases. This can stop the small vessel from
dragging anchor at very early stage before the ship is pressed to leeward side with
increasing speed
Use bow thrusters, main engine and steering to manoeuvre. It becomes more difficult to
weigh anchor when the vessel is pressed more to the leeward side and takes considerable
amount of time. Use bow thrusters for stemming the wind. Do not override the anchor
especially in shallow waters as the vessel may impact on the anchor during pitching.
If the scenario permits, let the vessel drag in a controlled manner. But this is not
recommended in areas where offshore work such as oil and gas operations are being
carried out, which can result in damaging the submerged pipe lines, cables etc.
Release the bitter end and let go the anchor completely, when weighing of anchor is not
possible. A ship without minimum of 2 anchors is not considered to be sea worthy, a
careful assessment is to be made prior making this decision
Call (tugs) for assistance. This is possible only if the weather permits

Most accidents collision or grounding happens while the vessel is at anchor mainly because of no
early prediction of dragging anchor. Time plays a vital role in area of high vessel density and this
time lapse results in difficulty in restoring the manoeuvrability of the vessel. Ensure that
propercontingency plan is set in place to control such incidents and avoid arising of any
emergency due to dragging anchor.

Over to you..

Do you think this article need additional points?

Lets know in the comments below.

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Tags: anchor dragging anchoring Dragging Anchor

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What To Do When Your Ship Is Dragging Anchor?

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What To Do When Your Ship Is Dragging Anchor?

About Dilipan Thomas


Dilipan Thomas is an aspiring seafarer, who has sailed on both cargo and offshore vessels.
He has a good knowledge of the deck department, and is presently preparing and training
himself to be a deck officer. He loves working in challenging environments and prefers writing about his
sailing experiences during his free time.

Comments

okonkwo chijioke says


DECEMBER 5, 2014 AT 2:27 AM

i have alot to discuss with you as a prospective seafearer am on lookout for exprience sailors
like you please,,email me

Roldan martensen says


APRIL 25, 2015 AT 1:26 PM

above info is very nice to know, thanks, hope I can get a copy above or some other related
ships topic to my email.good luck.

joe Northrup says


AUGUST 30, 2015 AT 5:40 AM

You forgot, if all else fails, call in the KRACKEN!!!!!!!!

http://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/ship-dragging-anchor/[15-Dec-16 9:50:06 AM]


What To Do When Your Ship Is Dragging Anchor?

George Pereira says


AUGUST 30, 2015 AT 9:22 AM

Very good advice. The bottom line is that once the anchor drags and the weather persists ,
action MUST be taken. Most vessels will be broadside to the wind when dragging. No need to
wonder if you have moved when this happens.

Natasha sharma says


AUGUST 30, 2015 AT 3:45 PM

Hye this article is very informativebt how if other vessel ahead of us dragging anchor and
coming closer to my bowboth my vessel at anchor n the other vessel engine is
overhaul,..what action can be take to minimize the impact

Edward Quansah says


OCTOBER 24, 2015 AT 5:57 PM

Dear Natasha sharma, your question is a realistic situation that many have been confronted
with.

I guess in such a situation, you must start your engines and deliberately drag your anchor
carefully away from the vessel in queation until you are well clear and safe to heave up and re-
anchor.

Miguel Carvalho says


FEBRUARY 6, 2016 AT 10:27 PM

The boat on picture is: Knock Nevis ?


Thank You.

http://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/ship-dragging-anchor/[15-Dec-16 9:50:06 AM]


What To Do When Your Ship Is Dragging Anchor?

evinhan says
FEBRUARY 6, 2016 AT 11:57 PM

so,our vessel is totaly black out and like this death vessel. how to take action ?

Yasser M says
FEBRUARY 7, 2016 AT 1:44 AM

on what you depend to decide how many shackels to drop? if on the length of the shipso
what is the equation?

RASEC NITRAM says


FEBRUARY 7, 2016 AT 11:42 AM

IN ANY EVENT, BEFORE THE WEATHER STARTS TO GET NASTY, PREPARE THE MAIN
ENGINE, LEAVE THE ANCHORAGE AND EITHER
SLOW STEAM OR DRIFT OUT AT SEA. THIS IS
WHAT I USED TO DO !!!

Gayan says
FEBRUARY 7, 2016 AT 3:30 PM

Really tt is a good article. when at anchor its a good practice to switch to RADAR anchoring
function which most of the seafaires dont use. when the guard zons are active it will give us a
early warning of anchor dragging.

http://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/ship-dragging-anchor/[15-Dec-16 9:50:06 AM]


What To Do When Your Ship Is Dragging Anchor?

innocent wobo says


MARCH 21, 2016 AT 12:26 PM

am an experince able seaman, with alot of experience,which I have work with a multinational
company, incase of any job vacancies pls inbox me.innocentaso4u@yahoo.com,

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