1. Answer the questions:

1. What type of vessel was it?

2. Where did the anchoring take place?

3. What were the conditions of the anchoring?

4. Who were at stations forward?

5. What speed did the log show?

6. What order was the 3rd Officer given?

7. What was the reason for the windlass damage?

8. What was the cause for the incident?

9. What could have happened if the Officer had reported the lay and strain on the cable in good time?

10. What kind of information must the officers on the bridge be aware of?

2. Decide if these statements are true or false. Correct the wrong ones.

1. Master and 2nd. Officer were at stations forward.

2. The anchors were foul and the port anchor made ready for letting go

3. The starboard anchor was let go on the order from the bridge.

4. The Third Officer was ordered to put windlass in gear.

5. The ground speed was not properly agreed upon on the bridge when the anchor was let go.

3. Match the words from the first column with words from the second one in order to form word collocations and make your own sentences:

1. to experience a. damage

2. to be kept advised of b. the engine astern

3. to put on c. anchors

4. to walk out d. the brake

5. the lack of e. the anchors

6. to screw up f. Log

7. the strain on g. relevant information

8. Doppler h. the tides

9. to inspect for i. chain

10. to put j. communication

34

Anchoring Hazards

During an anchoring operation, a vessel's anchor was run out under gravity to 6 shackles, checked and finally adjusted to 9 shackles on deck. A crew member who was on the forecastle but not directly involved with the anchoring operation, was enveloped by the resulting dust/debris cloud and later complained of irritation to his eyes requiring treatment from the shore doctor to alleviate it.

When engaged in anchoring, there is always a hazard from dust and debris flying off the anchor cable. With this in mind, all persons in the vicinity should be wearing suitable personal protection including eye protection. The Officer in charge must always ensure that neither himself nor any other crew member stands in line with the anchor cable either in front or behind the cable lifter, as there have been fatalities in the past caused by cables which have gone out of control.

If there is any doubt as to the efficiency of the brake, anchors should always be lowered in gear, using the windlass motor and never allowed to run so fast as to overheat the brake.

1. Answer the questions:

1. What force affected the anchor’s running out?

2. Why did one of the crew members complain of irritation to his eyes?

3. What did he require?

4. What hazards may the seafarers encounter when engaged in anchoring?

5. What safety measures must be taken in such cases?

6. What should be done if there is any doubt as to the efficiency of the brake?