Biggles Wader
Well-known member
You have clearly dropped the pick off Flushing then?
Anchoring big ships
- Thread starter [2574]
- Start date
newtothis
Well-known member
I'm certainly having second thoughts about swallowing the anchor now. I'm not sure where it's been.
[2574]
...
More frequently off the Butt of Bute......
LiftyK
Well-known member
This summer I was passing through Weymouth Bay admiring all the big cruise liners at anchor. Then another one turned up and anchored. A few minutes later, one of the established ships hailed the new arrival. Very politely and tactfully, the established ship asked the new ship if he knew he had anchored within their swinging circle. After a brief pause, Winnie the Pooh would call it a fast thinking pause, the new arrival very politely thanked the established ship for the information and suggested, "um er", they would keep a good look out and see how it went.
I smiled and said to my crew, "See - they're just like us!"
I smiled and said to my crew, "See - they're just like us!"
Alicatt
Well-known member
Thank you for the enlightenment
Wondered what a "shackle" referred to when watching Below Decks Med, seeing in a preview of the 4th series on Belgian TV just now they get their anchor chain fouled and have to send down divers, not sure which episode it's on but expectantly awaiting it.
Anyway...
Seems the USN use "Shots": "180 fathoms, 12th shot and Red
Wondered what a "shackle" referred to when watching Below Decks Med, seeing in a preview of the 4th series on Belgian TV just now they get their anchor chain fouled and have to send down divers, not sure which episode it's on but expectantly awaiting it.
Anyway...
Seems the USN use "Shots": "180 fathoms, 12th shot and Red
Biggles Wader
Well-known member
Ive seen a runaway anchor twice, same ship, same anchor each time although we managed to stop it both times before we lost it. It was in shallow water and caused by windlass brake fade as it failed to grip then overheated.
Neeves
Well-known member
We were heading south through the Tasman and stopped to shelter at Trial Bay to sit out a southerly. In the morning we woke to find a decent sized cruise ship not far away. It was so unusual to see such a large ship in the anchorage, the bay is plenty large enough but no real reason for a big ship to stop there, we took a picture. Later in the morning the radio burst into life and the cruise ship was asking for a diver. They had lost their anchor and wanted to retrieve it and any attached chain. Having nothing to do this was our entertainment for the day.
Divers arrived, local dive school, and they commenced the search for the anchor. We told them they were looking in the wrong place. They ignored us (we know what we are doing - but then you). We knew where they had anchored as we had taken the photograph. It is not unusual for ones expertise to be ignored and the best way to demonstrate competence is to 'do it'. We took to the dinghy, followed the transit we had for the ship, found the anchor and chain but then realised we had no means of marking it - we stayed over the anchor and shouted at the dive boat.
The divers attached a decent line and we were invited on board to watch the retrieval.
It turned out this was a simple delivery with a scratch crew as the ship was going for a refurbishment. They had stopped to simply sit out the weather (which explained why all the lower deck doors and windows were covered in ply).
Being a scratch crew they were unaware that the chain did not fit the windlass and though they could deploy that anchor it was difficult to retrieve as every few links jammed. Normal practice was to deploy the other anchor, not the one they used (which was essentially decorative). They had to attack every few links with a large hammer, sledge hammer, to retrieve the chain. The retrieval became increasingly complex as they deployed the good anchor so as to retrieve the lost anchor and about half way through the exercise the y got the 2 chains twisted and had to motor the ship to untwist (not quite as easy to sort out as on a yacht!)
None of this said much for the survey by one of the Classification Societies. It was cemented into our memory not to participate a cruise on this specific cruise line.
We were profusely thanked for our services and invited to raid the deep freeze for any provisions we might need (sadly the liquor store was not part of the offer). We declined the offer - we were on our way home and had no real need for extra food, as our deep freeze was already stocked for the remains of the journey.
They left - and we have never heard of them since.
We sat still for a couple more days till the southerly passed and subsided and the seabreeze re-established itself.
Loss of anchor is not uncommon from big ships and most (maybe all?) carry a spare. Anchors are expensive (where have I heard that before ) and they do try to retrieve any they lose (and apparently Port authorities will charge them for 'pollution' if they abandon them).
Carrying a spare anchor, that can replace the primary, does seem a good idea.
Jonathan
Divers arrived, local dive school, and they commenced the search for the anchor. We told them they were looking in the wrong place. They ignored us (we know what we are doing - but then you). We knew where they had anchored as we had taken the photograph. It is not unusual for ones expertise to be ignored and the best way to demonstrate competence is to 'do it'. We took to the dinghy, followed the transit we had for the ship, found the anchor and chain but then realised we had no means of marking it - we stayed over the anchor and shouted at the dive boat.
The divers attached a decent line and we were invited on board to watch the retrieval.
It turned out this was a simple delivery with a scratch crew as the ship was going for a refurbishment. They had stopped to simply sit out the weather (which explained why all the lower deck doors and windows were covered in ply).
Being a scratch crew they were unaware that the chain did not fit the windlass and though they could deploy that anchor it was difficult to retrieve as every few links jammed. Normal practice was to deploy the other anchor, not the one they used (which was essentially decorative). They had to attack every few links with a large hammer, sledge hammer, to retrieve the chain. The retrieval became increasingly complex as they deployed the good anchor so as to retrieve the lost anchor and about half way through the exercise the y got the 2 chains twisted and had to motor the ship to untwist (not quite as easy to sort out as on a yacht!)
None of this said much for the survey by one of the Classification Societies. It was cemented into our memory not to participate a cruise on this specific cruise line.
We were profusely thanked for our services and invited to raid the deep freeze for any provisions we might need (sadly the liquor store was not part of the offer). We declined the offer - we were on our way home and had no real need for extra food, as our deep freeze was already stocked for the remains of the journey.
They left - and we have never heard of them since.
We sat still for a couple more days till the southerly passed and subsided and the seabreeze re-established itself.
Loss of anchor is not uncommon from big ships and most (maybe all?) carry a spare. Anchors are expensive (where have I heard that before
) and they do try to retrieve any they lose (and apparently Port authorities will charge them for 'pollution' if they abandon them). Carrying a spare anchor, that can replace the primary, does seem a good idea.
Jonathan
PilotWolf
Well-known member
Thank you for the enlightenment
Wondered what a "shackle" referred to when watching Below Decks Med, seeing in a preview of the 4th series on Belgian TV just now they get their anchor chain fouled and have to send down divers, not sure which episode it's on but expectantly awaiting it.
Anyway...
Seems the USN use "Shots": "180 fathoms, 12th shot and Red
I lived BDM and BD but there are also some good YouTube channels that show a more realistic side if it is off interest.
W
Uricanejack
Well-known member
Pretty much the same just scaled up a bit.
3 x depth, the norm. weather sometimes 5.
Most carry, Admiralty Stockless self stowing anchors or Chinese knock offs.
Up until now, the best for the job. The self stowing bit being the the critical factor.
The cable is usual in multiple shackles of studded chain, A shackle 15 fathoms or 90 ft. Joined together with Kenter Joining Shackles. (Google, kind of cool)
Sise of Anchor, Chain and length as per Kukri
Smaller ships anchor pretty much the traditional way i anchor a boat. Actually except for the CQR, exactly the same way I used to anchor an old Silver.
How to prepare an anchor, How to drop an anchor, on you last ship.
pretty much a guaranteed question for an EDH. Back in the day, probably get the same examiner for 2nd Mate.
Danton or the Efficient Deckhand describe it.
Only lad I knew who failed his EDH, didn’t listen to the instructor or read the book and tried to explain to the typically geriatric D.O.T examiner how to anchor a Shell Tanker.
The fact that he described the Shell Tanker companies exact procedure in detail, was off course completely irrelevant to the D.O.T They wanted to know how to anchor a liberty ship or possibly an SD14 and probably still do.
There are a couple of videos on youtube, showing the result of dropping the anchor on a VLCC big bulker or Max Contaier ship.
Really big ships you walk them out.
The other famous question, allegedly
what would you do if the wind gets stronger and you start dragging the anchor?
Let out more Cable.
you keep dragging?
let out another anchor
The winds getting stronger you keep dragging
let out another anchor.
wher do you get all these anchor from
same place you get all the wind from
Never did find out if he passed or failed.
In reality. There are asking about safety precautions and communication. clearing away securing arrangements,
Some can be dropped from the pipe.
There will be a discussion first, Mate will be informed which anchorage, which anchor, depth ect.
Most are walked out to the water or just above the water as the ship, approaches the anchorage.
the Brake tighten hard and the winch taken out of gear. the anchor is ready to let go. Bridge informed anchor ready.
Hopefully between the efforts of the Master and Pilot they manage to aproach the anchorage heading into wind and current.
And stopped in position. As Mate fingers crossed.
Each of the joining shackles is marked by paint and wire. painted links usually white, tends to be hard to see.
You will need hearing protection and googles. It’s loud and tons of crap comes flying out.
when you hear let go.
it’s a two or three man job. Mate looking at anchor AB Bosun DH on brake,
brake released until cable runs out.
A bit of skill to it releasing and tightening the brake to keep under control but not burn out the brake lining.
The bridge will kick her astern when you let go.
Not a 3rd. Dead Slow or Slow. Just want to get her moving astern to lay the cable out straight rather than a pile.
Mate will tell the bridge when anchor is on the bottom, which way, hopeful ahead. The cable is leading and count of the shalkes going out.
Up and down, Short Stay ahead, Ect Long stay ahead is a lot of weight on cable.
Mate might ask for a hick ahead to stop the ship if moving a bit quick.
At this point you are watching for the cable to come up real tight or a long stay,
Then just slack of a bit.
Then the ship is brought up. X sheckles in water or on deck 3 times depth.
The Bridge will check position bearing transits ect.
foclse harden up the brake, I won’t mention the guilotine or claw it results in argument
we used to stick a mop with the head up in the cable.
Check regularly keep anchor watch.
For those of you who have done a YM probably kind of familiar,
Bigger ship delete let go replace with walk out.
3rd Engineers question in smoke room,
Hows that little anchor hold the ship in place?
2nd Mates Answer.
It doesn’t
Theory as it went back in the day, All the anchor does is hold the end of the cable in place.
The catenary in the cable holds the ship.
Good enough for me.
Now the New Varient anchor vendors can chime in and tell us that is BS.
stood many an anchor watch, got my chart corrections done. Rare to drag If anchored properly in a good spot.
Dragged a few times, conditions were severe,
One old hand advised me long ago, Never trust an anchor which has started to drag. pick up and anchor again with more cable.
3 x depth, the norm. weather sometimes 5.
Most carry, Admiralty Stockless self stowing anchors or Chinese knock offs.
Up until now, the best for the job. The self stowing bit being the the critical factor.
The cable is usual in multiple shackles of studded chain, A shackle 15 fathoms or 90 ft. Joined together with Kenter Joining Shackles. (Google, kind of cool)
Sise of Anchor, Chain and length as per Kukri
Smaller ships anchor pretty much the traditional way i anchor a boat. Actually except for the CQR, exactly the same way I used to anchor an old Silver.
How to prepare an anchor, How to drop an anchor, on you last ship.
pretty much a guaranteed question for an EDH. Back in the day, probably get the same examiner for 2nd Mate.
Danton or the Efficient Deckhand describe it.
Only lad I knew who failed his EDH, didn’t listen to the instructor or read the book and tried to explain to the typically geriatric D.O.T examiner how to anchor a Shell Tanker.
The fact that he described the Shell Tanker companies exact procedure in detail, was off course completely irrelevant to the D.O.T They wanted to know how to anchor a liberty ship or possibly an SD14 and probably still do.
There are a couple of videos on youtube, showing the result of dropping the anchor on a VLCC big bulker or Max Contaier ship.
Really big ships you walk them out.
The other famous question, allegedly
what would you do if the wind gets stronger and you start dragging the anchor?
Let out more Cable.
you keep dragging?
let out another anchor
The winds getting stronger you keep dragging
let out another anchor.
wher do you get all these anchor from
same place you get all the wind from
Never did find out if he passed or failed.
In reality. There are asking about safety precautions and communication. clearing away securing arrangements,
Some can be dropped from the pipe.
There will be a discussion first, Mate will be informed which anchorage, which anchor, depth ect.
Most are walked out to the water or just above the water as the ship, approaches the anchorage.
the Brake tighten hard and the winch taken out of gear. the anchor is ready to let go. Bridge informed anchor ready.
Hopefully between the efforts of the Master and Pilot they manage to aproach the anchorage heading into wind and current.
And stopped in position. As Mate fingers crossed.
Each of the joining shackles is marked by paint and wire. painted links usually white, tends to be hard to see.
You will need hearing protection and googles. It’s loud and tons of crap comes flying out.
when you hear let go.
it’s a two or three man job. Mate looking at anchor AB Bosun DH on brake,
brake released until cable runs out.
A bit of skill to it releasing and tightening the brake to keep under control but not burn out the brake lining.
The bridge will kick her astern when you let go.
Not a 3rd. Dead Slow or Slow. Just want to get her moving astern to lay the cable out straight rather than a pile.
Mate will tell the bridge when anchor is on the bottom, which way, hopeful ahead. The cable is leading and count of the shalkes going out.
Up and down, Short Stay ahead, Ect Long stay ahead is a lot of weight on cable.
Mate might ask for a hick ahead to stop the ship if moving a bit quick.
At this point you are watching for the cable to come up real tight or a long stay,
Then just slack of a bit.
Then the ship is brought up. X sheckles in water or on deck 3 times depth.
The Bridge will check position bearing transits ect.
foclse harden up the brake, I won’t mention the guilotine or claw it results in argument
we used to stick a mop with the head up in the cable.
Check regularly keep anchor watch.
For those of you who have done a YM probably kind of familiar,
Bigger ship delete let go replace with walk out.
3rd Engineers question in smoke room,
Hows that little anchor hold the ship in place?
2nd Mates Answer.
It doesn’t
Theory as it went back in the day, All the anchor does is hold the end of the cable in place.
The catenary in the cable holds the ship.
Good enough for me.
Now the New Varient anchor vendors can chime in and tell us that is BS.
stood many an anchor watch, got my chart corrections done. Rare to drag If anchored properly in a good spot.
Dragged a few times, conditions were severe,
One old hand advised me long ago, Never trust an anchor which has started to drag. pick up and anchor again with more cable.
Last edited:
Uricanejack
Well-known member
Tankerman?
Last edited:
Uricanejack
Well-known member
9 or 10 shackles not uncommon. recall several vessels with 10 or 11.
one or two of the bigger ones might have had 13 recollection a bit vague was once upon a time long ago.
I might have an old book in a box in the attic with actual numbers..
Memory tells me the sise of the bar The chain was made of increased substantially with ship size, not so much increase in length.