Anchoring is a common and vital operation on any ship. However, it has been widely felt that anchoring equipment designs have not kept up with the evolving industry demand for anchoring ships in deeper and more exposed anchorages. When identifying the challenges associated with anchoring procedures, there was an evident need to review the minimum required construction standards of the windlasses, as vessels are currently anchoring at depths above their lifting capacity.
Mitigating the safety risks associated with anchoring operations is paramount in an industry that has been striving to eliminate personnel injuries, prevent harm to the environment and limit damage to equipment. This publication highlights the key concerns and technical recommendations across a range of topics including the design of hydraulic systems, an area vulnerable to failures that have led to serious injuries.
By identifying the challenges associated with current standards and systems, this publication complements existing technical recommendations and guidance relating to the operation and maintenance of anchoring equipment. Although the guidelines are primarily targeted at ship operators, they also offer a valuable insight to anyone involved in the design, operation and maintenance of anchoring systems, providing further understanding and awareness of equipment limitations through a risk-management approach.
This guide also focuses on human factor considerations and, in line with TMSA recommendations, provides risk-based guidance for the training and auditing of crew members involved in anchoring, while also offering best-practice procedures through the risk assessment process.
The new guidance covers:
- A guide to ship designers and shipyards on anchoring equipment
- Generic operational guidelines, including emergency procedures
- Maintenance and technical aspects involved with anchoring equipment
- The human element aspects and training of crew for anchoring
While the target readers of these guidelines are ship managers/operators and also ship builders, the guidelines may also be useful in assisting them, as well as training centres, to promote safe anchoring operations on board.
