Anchor Chain Inspection Kamsar

Bauxite carriers often wait days or weeks at the Kamsar anchorage area. The anchor and chain hold the ship in tidal current, wind and swell, and wear steadily during this time. An anchor chain inspection by a Diver gives the master and superintendent a view of the anchor, the chain and the connections, which are otherwise hard to examine.

What the Diver Checks

The Diver follows the chain from the hawse pipe to the anchor, noting how it lies and whether it is fouled. At the anchor, the Diver checks the shank, flukes, crown, pin and shackle. He looks for bends, cracks, missing parts and excessive wear. He also checks that the anchor is properly seated in the hawse pipe when the ship is not at anchor, and that no debris prevents it from stowing.

Chain Wear and Measurement

Anchor chain loses metal through abrasion on the seabed and corrosion. Class rules commonly allow replacement when the average diameter of a link has reduced by about 12 per cent from the nominal diameter. We can measure link diameter with calipers at agreed points, usually at the most worn lengths, and record the results. Measurements on the exposed lengths give a good indication, although final decisions are made by the surveyor.

Items on the Inspection List

• Shackle type and condition, including Kenter shackle pins and locking devices.
• Stud links, and any loose or missing studs.
• Link elongation, corrosion pitting and cracks.
• Chain marking on shots, which are normally 27.5 m long.
• Anchor shank, flukes and pin, and the hawse pipe condition.

Anchor Fouling and Dragging

In soft estuarine mud, an anchor can bury itself deeply, or it can drag if the holding is poor. A Diver can check how the anchor lies and whether the chain has crossed or twisted, particularly after a change in wind or tide. Where the ship has swung around another vessel's chain, a Diver can also assist in clearing the problem.

Linking to Recovery

If the inspection finds a damaged or missing anchor, we can proceed to anchor recovery, detailed on a separate page. Marking the position of lost gear as soon as possible increases the chance of recovery, and our team can survey the seabed to locate it.

Book an Anchor Chain Check

Tell us the ship's anchor type, chain size and concerns, and we will plan the inspection.

Inspecting After Heavy Weather or Long Stays

Anchor equipment is stressed most in poor weather and strong current. After a long stay at the Kamsar anchorage area, or after a squall that caused the ship to drag, an inspection is wise. The Diver can check that the anchor is not damaged, the chain is not twisted and the shackle pins are secure. A short check of this kind costs little and can prevent the loss of an anchor on the next occasion.

What the Crew Can Check on Deck

The inspection by the Diver works best when combined with deck checks. When the chain is hauled, the crew can inspect links, stud condition, shackles and markings, and wash and measure sections as the chain passes. Marking worn lengths with paint helps the Diver to find them on the next dive. We recommend a combined routine: deck inspection when the anchor is hove up, and a Diver check at the anchorage area after a long stay. Together, they cover both the part of the chain seen on deck and the part that lies on the seabed or near the hawse pipe, giving a more complete picture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. How long is a standard shot of anchor chain?

27.5 m (15 fathoms) per shot.

Q2. At what wear level is a chain commonly replaced?

Class guidance commonly points to replacement when the average link diameter has worn by about 12 per cent from nominal.

Q3. How heavy is a Panamax bower anchor?

Roughly 7 to 9 tonnes for a Panamax, and slightly less for a Supramax, depending on the equipment number.

Q4. How long does an anchor inspection take?

Typically 2 to 4 hours for the anchor and visible chain length in good visibility.

Q5. Can a Diver inspect the whole chain?

Only the lengths that lie within diving reach. Other lengths are inspected when the chain is hauled on deck or in dry dock.