Anchoring
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Objectives
STATE the types of anchors used in the Coast Guard
STATE the factors the OOD must consider when selecting an
anchorage or emergency anchorage
DISCUSS the differences in anchor types
DESCRIBE the methods employed by the CONN while
piloting the ship to a planned anchorage location
DISCUSS other uses for the anchor
Terminology
Ground Tackle
Shot
Scope
Pelorus
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Ground Tackle
Collective term
applied to all
equipment used
in anchoring
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Shots
***1 FATHOM = 6FT*** 5
Determining the Scope
Moderate Weather: 3 – 5x water depth
Heavy Weather: 5 – 7x water depth
Example: Water Depth – 25 ft
Weather Conditions: HEAVY WEATHER
Scope = 25’ x 5 = 125ft to 25’ x 7 = 175’ ; Between 125’ to 175’ of anchor line
Can we measure 125’ of anchor chain accurately?
NO – Therefore, we will choose an interval of 90’ to let out an amount equal to a # of
SHOTS and decide to let out TWO SHOTS or 180’
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Types of Anchors
Danforth
Navy Stockless
SEA BED
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Navy Stockless
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Parts of a Danforth anchor
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How Should the Anchor
Ride?
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How Should the Anchor
Ride?
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How Should the Anchor
Ride?
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Anchoring Fundamentals
Why do we anchor?
Staying put
Emergency brake
Close quarters maneuvering
Planned Anchorage
OOD Considerations
Bottom type (affects holding power of anchor)
Depth of water
Location:
Proximity to hazards (shoal water, other vessels, ATON)
Shelter from wind/seas & Anticipated weather
Adequate NAVAIDs (for precision anchorage)
OOD Responsibilities
Go to resource: The Checklist!
Effective communications
Preparation is key
Approach the anchorage into the elements
Back down and drop anchor after achieving sternway
Gauge whether the anchor is holding
Ensure Swing & Drag Circles are plotted
Foc’sle Responsibilities
Go to resource: The Checklist!
Effective communications
Preparation is key
Ensure proper PPE
Follow commands
Report the strain on the anchor
Gauge whether the anchor is holding
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Dropping the Anchor without a Letting Go
Circle
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Dropping the Anchor using a Letting Go Circle
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Anchoring Nav Terms
Letting Go Circle: Radius = Distance from
the hawsepipe to the pelorus
Drag Circle: Radius = Distance from the
hawsepipe to the pelorus + the scope of
chain
Swing Circle: Radius = Scope of chain +
length of the ship.
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The Anchor:
A Shiphandling Aid
A prudent shiphandler always
keeps the anchor ready for
letting go when maneuvering
in restricted waters
A navigation brief should
always include emergency
anchorage locations near each
leg of the transit. As the
OOD/CONN, you need to
ensure you know where they
CGC MELLON in Kodiak, AK
are at all times.
The Anchor:
A Shiphandling Aid
For vessels without a tug or a bow thruster, the anchor may
be the only way to apply a force directly to the bow.
Turning a ship into the wind
The poor man’s tug (dredging)
Turning into the Wind/Current
The shiphandler may choose
Shoal Water
to drop the anchor.
The anchor will move the
pivot point to the hawse pipe
WIND
The wind will push the stern
PIER
around
Weigh the anchor and
depart!
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Dredging Anchor
Dredging Anchor allows the shiphandler to hold the bow in
place while using engines/rudder to move the stern.
This technique is also known as “poor man’s tug” because the
anchor approximates the effect of having a tug boat push on
the bow to pin it in place.
Dredging anchor moves the vessel’s pivot point to the anchor
hawse pipe.
Dredging Anchor Procedures
Select the outboard anchor (from the side you intend to
moor to)
Pay out approximately 1.5x the depth of water for scope
of chain.
Do not attempt to do this with substantial way on.
Use engines and rudder to control the stern and pivot
around the bow.
Dredging Anchor
WIND
Pivot Point
PIER
PIER
Pivot around bow by
applying screw &
rudder force to stern
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Emergency
Anchorage
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Emergency Anchorage:
Reasons
Steering casualty
Loss of propulsion, or control of propulsion
Fire or flooding
Where should you go?
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Emergency Anchorage:
Planning
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Emergency Anchorage:
Planning
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Questions?
CGC STRATTON
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