Anchoring Operations & anchor watch check items- deck officers guideline
For the safety of the ship, strict anchor watches must be kept when the ship is at anchor.
The principal reason for keeping anchor watches by one or more sailors is to maintain the safety and security of the vessel.
Anchor watches to be maintained following the Masters's orders. This should include regular inspection of lead and weight on-chain.
The safety of the vessel is upheld by ensuring that the anchor position is maintained, other vessels maintain their position, and observing traffic entering and leaving the anchorage.
The security of the vessel is maintained by following the ISP's procedures for a vessel at anchor.
By keeping a proper watch especially during bad weather a ship can avoid the potential threat of dragging on to another ship or risk of running aground. The watch normally consists of an officer who takes frequent compass bearings of objects onshore to detect whether the ship is moving and a small party on the forecastle ready to watch and work the cable when needed. A dragging anchor can often also be detected by feeling the vibration in the cable; another sign is when the cable slackens and tautens alternately in a marked manner.
By keeping a proper watch especially during bad weather a ship can avoid the potential threat of dragging on to another ship or risk of running aground. The watch normally consists of an officer who takes frequent compass bearings of objects onshore to detect whether the ship is moving and a small party on the forecastle ready to watch and work the cable when needed. A dragging anchor can often also be detected by feeling the vibration in the cable; another sign is when the cable slackens and tautens alternately in a marked manner.
