DNV TecRegNews No 23 2021web

TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY NEWS No.
23/2021 – TECHNICAL
ANCHOR LOSSES ARE ON A NEGATIVE

TREND – HOW TO IMPROVE
Relevant for owners, managers, design offices, shipyards and suppliers. November 2021
There has been a negative trend in the loss of anchors and chains in recent years. The safety,
environmental and financial consequences can be severe, and port authorities may hold a
vessel responsible for all costs caused by a lost anchor for an unlimited period of time. This
technical news focuses on operational challenges, current rules and practices, awareness,
lesson learned, and recommendations related to anchor equipment damages/losses.
There is a general lack of awareness of the environmental loads

for which anchoring equipment is designed. Class societies
have unified rules for the design of anchoring equipment.
Key principles for safe anchoring

Below are some key principles for safe anchoring, based on
DNV Class Rules and IACS Recommendations (references:
see below):
Design and selection – rules assumptions and limitations,

designed for temporary anchoring in harbour
• Current velocity: max. 2.5m/s (5 knots)

DNV, Gard and The Swedish Club arranged an anchor aware- • Wind velocity: max. 25m/s (48 knots)
ness campaign in 2016 identifying the most frequent techni- • No waves
cal and operational issues and recommendations for the safe • Length of chain paid out scope 6–10
operation of anchors and anchor equipment (see link below). • Good holding ground
However, over the last years, especially from 2019 to 2020, However, many anchoring locations are outside sheltered
an increase of more than 20% of anchor losses/damages has waters, and an equivalent environmental envelope, including
been noted. This high increase may be partly explained by wave loads, was found as given by:
environmental events and the COVID-19 pandemic, where
periods spent waiting at anchorage outside ports have • Current velocity: max. 1.5m/s (3 knots)
increased for some ships, or ships have been temporarily laid • Wind velocity: max. 11m/s (21 knots)
up for shorter or longer periods. But for most anchor losses, • Significant wave height: max. 2m
current rules and best practices have not been adhered to.
To achieve the necessary anchor holding power, it is essen-
Investigations into the root causes of loss of anchor have tial that the anchor chain and the fore-runner remain horizon-
shown that in most cases, the environmental conditions tal on the seabed and that good holding ground is available.
exceeded the criteria for safe anchoring: The ratio between water depth and the length of the chain –
WEBINAR on 17 November 2021:

Anchor losses – how can we improve?
As the frequency of anchor losses is increasing and

based on numerous requests from customers, DNV
together with Gard and The Swedish Club is organizing
this webinar. You can choose between two sessions on
17 November, 2021.
It is free of charge. SIGN UP NOW >
DNV AS, Veritasveien 1, 1363 Høvik, Norway, Phone: +47 67 57 99 00, www.dnv.com/maritime DNV GL Disclaimer of Liability Page 1/2
the scope number – is a key factor in ensuring this, and class More information is available
guidance is 6 to 10 scopes. Webpage Anchor loss prevention - DNV:
DNV, Gard and The Swedish Club have analysed damage
Furthermore, the anchor winch motor is typically designed to cases involving loss of anchor and anchor chain, and have
lift the anchor and three lengths of chain (82.5m). The 2016 identified some frequent causes, both technical and opera-
study referred to above revealed that there have been sev- tional. Access to an awareness video from this work can be
eral cases in which the anchor winch was not able to recover viewed at this site.
the weight of the anchor and the chain due to anchoring in
waters that were too deep. DNV rules relevant for anchoring:
DNV Rules Pt.3. Ch.11 Sec.1
Preventing anchor losses and damages
Some awareness and key focus areas for preventing loss of IACS documents:
anchor are listed below: • IACS UR A1 Equipment, providing requirements for
anchoring equipment
• Leave anchorage in time! • IACS Recommendation 79 Guidance for anchoring equip-
• When temporary laid up, periodically clearing the chain ment in service
of twists should be noted, it is recommended to heave the • IACS Recommendation No. 10 Equipment, giving guidance
anchor once per week. on anchoring equipment for small and special ships, and
• Check the anchor carefully when in dry dock for wear and tear. for the design and testing of anchor windlasses
• Check the securing of the D-shackle pin as often as possible.
• Adjust the brake band when the lining is worn.
• Read the anchor equipment procedures. Contact
CONTACT
• Replace the brake lining when required, without delay. For customers:
• Check the condition of all devices for holding the anchor DATE – Direct Access to Technical Experts via My Services on Veracity.
tight in the hawse pipe.
Otherwise:
• Second-hand anchors or chains should not be installed on Use our office locator to find the nearest office.
board the vessel.
On anchoring you can also contact [email protected]
• Watch out for fake certificates. The price of the anchor or
the chains may be an indication of the quality.
Also refer to the “Anchor loss – Technical and operational chal-

lenges and recommendations” presentation (see link below).
Recommendations
• Know the limitation of the anchoring equipment and
when to leave the anchorage: Make sure that the deck
officers know the maximum environmental envelope the
equipment can hold, and make sure this is reflected in the
shipboard anchoring procedures. If anchoring at one loca-
tion for more than one week, the anchor should be heaved
up to avoid twisting of the chain
• Training of crew: Properly implement routine inspections
and maintenance of essential components of the anchor-
ing equipment. Class should always be contacted when
repairs are to be carried out on the anchor and chain.
• When ordering new ships: Evaluate the possible need for
increasing the anchoring equipment beyond minimum
IACS class requirements, especially if you will be anchoring
in deep waters.
DNV AS, Veritasveien 1, 1363 Høvik, Norway, Phone: +47 67 57 99 00, www.dnv.com/maritime DNV GL Disclaimer of Liability Page 2/2

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TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY NEWS No.

ANCHOR LOSSES ARE ON A NEGATIVE

There is a general lack of awareness of the environmental loads

Key principles for safe anchoring

Design and selection – rules assumptions and limitations,

• Current velocity: max. 2.5m/s (5 knots)

WEBINAR on 17 November 2021:

As the frequency of anchor losses is increasing and

It is free of charge. SIGN UP NOW >

Also refer to the “Anchor loss – Technical and operational chal-

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