How would you determine if your ship is dragging anchor and what action would you take as OOW?

Checks to be performed:

• Check position by radar(range bearing),GPS & UKC
• D.log indicates ship is moving in certain direction with a speed of more than 1 knot
• Confirm vsl is within the turning circle
• Course recorder indicates distorted curve rather than regular sine curve
• Regular swinging motion is topped & weather side becomes fixed.
• Abnormal vibrations are felt on the hull
• Relative positions to surrounding ships changes
• Taut cable condition continues

Actions when dragging anchor is confirmed:

1. When the ship has sheered away from the 1st anchor, drop the other anchor on the bottom and stop the run of the cable
2. Put both cables in gear and walk back equal equally on both,ensuring that the first anchor has at least half a shackle left in chain locker
3. Put both the brakes on, take the gears out and hold on
4. Keep anchor watch to ensure that the anchors are holding
5. Keep engines on stop at short notice
6. If the master is ashore, the chief officer would automatically take charge of the situation
7. In rare case of both master and c/o ashore , the second officer would have to manage,

KEEPING THE FOLLOWING POINTS IN MIND

8. The length of the cable paid out (usually 6 times the depth of water ) is only to ensure that the pull on the anchor shank, while it in on seabed, is horizontal. Once that is assured paying out more cable would not help!!
9. Heaving up anchor, manoeuvering the ship and reanchoring shoulf only be the last resort by the second officer. Having insufficient experience and being without proper support on the bridge this is too risky
10. Inform the harbour control by vhf .”my ship is dragging anchor. Require a pilot immediately.”
11. Call up agents on telephone and informthem” ship is dragging anchor, the master and chief officer are ashore please contact them and send them onboard as soon as possible
12. Pull the wheel hard over away from the first anchor and hold it there.
13. Prepare the second anchor to let go
14. Carry out master’s orders
15. Inform master
16. Inform engine room,this is an emergency, get engines ready as soon as possible.switch on power to windlass
17. Call anchor stations
18. Call for a messenger on bridge because the a.b. will be manning the wheel
19. Switch on the steering motors
20. Switch on Radar /Arpa
21. Try the pneumatic whistle and electric klaxon
22. The vhf would already be on channel 16
23. Keep a record of all the happenings and their timings in bridge notebook