200215 Anchorage Problems

Anchorage Problems
Report No. 200215

A bulk carrier was approaching an anchorage. The anchorage was very crowded with a strong tide/current running about 4 knots SSW. At 0300 it was confirmed the vessel was "brought up" and holding her position with 8 shackles in the water. Before ringing FWE the Master checked the vessels position and the traffic of the surrounding vicinity.

A vessel which had followed own vessel into the anchorage was noted to be now approximately 0.9 miles on the port quarter. This vessel had the tide/current on her port beam and her apparent intention was to anchor ahead of own vessel's position. This vessel was contacted by our Master informing her that he had anchored, to keep clear and be aware of the strong current. The approaching vessel noted the Master's comments. Five minutes later the bearing was still constant and the distance had decreased to 0.2 miles. The Master requested the approaching vessel put her engines full astern and ordered his engines half ahead. As both vessels were running their engines as described they passed each other at about 0.1 mile. The other vessel anchored approximately 0.9 miles south of own vessel.

Three days later the Master was informed by the Third Officer that a vessel anchored forward at 1.2nm, had dragged and was now at 0.8 miles. The vessel was contacted and asked if she was under way or if she was dragging anchor. She informed that she has lost her port anchor with 6 shackles of cable and was unable to start her engines. The Master ordered engines to standby and requested the Chief Officer and Bosun forward to slack the chain. The tide was at springs and the ebb current was running at about 5 kts (1 hour after HW). After several attempts by the dragging vessel to start her engines she succeeded and later advised that she had also lost her starboard anchor whilst trying to stop the vessel from dragging. The other vessel, now without any anchors, was ordered by Port Control to proceed out of the channel to open seas.

This is a good example of effective Bridge Team Management and professionalism of all on board. This also highlights the dangers associated with crowded anchorages where there are strong tidal currents.