In the last issue of Signa a seene was set for 2 seca faced bythe master ofa handy-sized bulk catrieratanchor 25 nautica miles off the coast at an imaginary UK port. The forecast was for winds between farce 7and severe gale 3 Having written his night orders the master returned ta his eabin to ponder is aptions. We asked you to apoly your stamanship knowledge ta this problem and consider ‘what you would doin the same situation, Tis problem is typical of those facing profesional seafarers ona daily basis, On pape it might sapear ‘that there is litle information a the situation is simple and not realy 3 problem ~ but that is where professional raining makes the diference There isa lot more than is frst spporent inthe information aout the anchored ship inthe case tu Holding ground The best design of madern anchor can prove @ holding power ef upto 12 times its evn weight were the holding ground is very goad, such as clay really heavy mu. The chart shows the nature of the seo bed tobe shingle and shells which isnot 90% holding ground. I is quite possible thatthe holding power of the best anchor here may be as litle asi times its omn weight o it would be reasonable ta assume that any anchor might not be uly effetve in such corktions, A ship at anchor in strong wind tends to yaw around the anchor or anchors, and once this happens the uneven foreeson the anchor cable can increas the klood of drageing. Wen rng to heavein the anchor, this may slsoeeuse problems vith the windlass. Ballast condition The ship had been de-ballasted to @ minimum to ‘maintain 50% ropeler immersion nthis condition itis highly ely that any rape deterioration inthe weatherandse state would mean the propelier as frequently lifting clear of the sea making taut {forthe ship ta reaeh or msintin steerage wayant ‘quite possibly it could cause the engine to over speed and shut down, ‘Astempting to rfl the ballast tanks under these conditions could also be dangerous. Correct ballsting isa safety issue which should not be influenced by commerca pressure perceived or te Ballastaffects manoeuvring characteristics nd, over the life ofthe shia, good Ballast management wil ress forces which weaken the structure ‘The stability booklet may also stipulate a minimum fovtard draft to maintain a safe bow height and avoid wave slamming forward, This safety requirement might get overinkedinde-belasting purely fo propeller immersion. Weather forecast All mariners know that 2 weather forecast only predicts the likely weather. Another ward for "preietis‘quessAnd surely theres 2 big guessin the case study weather forecast whereitsays'7 10 severe gale! Thsistelling us that the wind coulabe anything From 28 knots to 47 knots which could mean wave heights ftom 4 metres toa maximum oF 1Dmetres. So fom this single phrase we knew that the forecasters are very ursue about the pedicality of he approaching lor pressure system, Consequenty thereisa hgh ise factorin waiting to find out whether the ‘guess’ is goad or not. Every mariner knows that the weather can be beter than predicted, but must also remember thatthe weather ‘ante worse than precited It would be prudent to ‘check other soures oF weather information suchas facsimile charts, VHF broadcast weather reports, and even the television forecasts being tis close to thecoast. Some people might argue that & simple Naviex Forecast such as te one ovided fortis ease study ots nor give sufficient information, But is that really the case? Ik is winter and a ‘iow’ is npreacning in the northern hemisphere. These pressure systems can move very quickly and the ‘ind ea freshen an veer fom southerly to south lwestery to narth.westery very quietly t00, An anchorage protected by land ta the south but open to the north-west can very quekly change fear sheltered to dangerous. Risk assessment Considering the folowing additonal’ actors * sistance - from the shore and other navigational dangers and shigsat anchor # depth-of water 1 dragging - the nature of the sea bed and the holding power of theanchor 1 density of shiping in the anchorage Aioyight- makes easier to manaeuste the ship indificul conditions, ‘The master should conclude that the following factorsare hia ris 1 the weather deteriorating more quickly than the wind veering tothe north-west pushing the Shipontos lee shore ‘he nature af theses bed -the anchor dragging with 18 other ships inthe anchorage ~ cling with nater ship with ight balist and 50% propeller immersion — ‘re engine wl prove ineffective the ship il na each or maintain steerage way — the rudder wil prove netfectve ‘the distance off the coasts 25 miles - but there ‘te shallow patches and ocks closer the forecast deterioration in westher wil take face during hours darks Control measures - the options More cable ondar second anchor. if done rir to ‘ne weather deteriorating hese options may powde aditional hong power ut, witha seabed of shells and shingle, the holding over of two anchors may ‘only match te holding power of one anchor in very nod holding ground. IF done after the weather Aeteriortes endfor te anchor tarts draguing, the chances of preventing the stp from being blown onto @ lee shore ae very much reduced. Combined with elective use of ship's engine it may slow the ragging enough toreain conta ofthe station. Ship's engine ~in te light ballast condition, the Fkelinood of tne propeler breaking eles af the water and causing the engine to shut down isvery high, Even if the engine does not shut down itis unlikely to be effective with 508% propeller immersion in the forecast waves that could potentialy be up fo 10m igh in open ses, remembering that saves breaking in shallow water ‘will ad to te eiieult conditions. Weigh anchor ondleave- ay process of elimination (called ri assessment theres only one remaining control measute onthe list. The nanel of experts agree thatthe ony effective measure to conta the risk ofthis situations to welgh anchar immediately without delaying tobalast~ane procees tas to Fide out the tad weather Once outat sea the master can write hisrightcxders fad gow his cabin forthe evening, happy im the lroioledge tat he has tale el reasonable steps that vill prove he isa prudent mariner and not a esualty statistic He may even gt good righe'sseeo The Aasocotion ecehedan excelent response the case study and would tke ta thank everyone who submitted an answer, The answers show @ keen Interest in tssves of professional judgement ond ‘ample evidence of the proctice of ardinary seas rovigation ard seamanship. 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