The Covid-19 enforced operational pause saw many cruise vessels anchored off the UK’s south coast.

During this period there were several anchor losses associated with the inclement weather over the autumn and winter and the use of the anchoring equipment beyond its intended design parameters.

In the UK the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have identified a trend in the nature of anchoring equipment failures and have released a safety bulletin to the cruise industry to mitigate against further losses both in the short term and when the vessels return to normal operations.

Safety issues

• Ship’s masters should be proactive in heading to sea and not wait for the anchor to drag in strong winds before acting.
• Choice of anchor and amount of cable chosen should be varied to avoid single point loading.
• Ship’s masters should ensure they and their crew are aware of the reporting procedures to the coastal state in the event of losing an anchor.
• Anchoring equipment should be assessed before returning back into normal service due to the greater use of the anchors during this extraordinary period.

The four-page MAIB document may be downloaded here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6062ee7be90e072d97f8765b/2021-SB1-CruiseShipAnchorFailures.pdf

Picture caption

As if on guard at the former Li-Xin shipyard at Pudong, on the Huangpo River, East Shanghai.

Photo: PWR ©