Lost Anchor and Chain Recovery Kamsar

Losing an anchor is serious. The ship loses a key safety item, may face delays and may need class approval to sail. A lost anchor and chain also create a hazard for other vessels at the anchorage. Lost anchor and chain recovery in Kamsar uses Divers and surface equipment to find and recover the lost gear, often within a day or two.

How Anchors Are Lost

Anchors are lost when a chain parts, a shackle fails, a windlass brake slips or the ship leaves in a hurry with the anchor still on the bottom. At the Kamsar anchorage area, strong tidal current, soft mud and debris can contribute. Whenever gear is lost, the master should note the position, depth and weather, and report it to the authority and the owner.

Record the Position Immediately

The first and most useful action is to record the position of the loss. The ship's GPS position at the time, the heading, the amount of chain paid out and the time all help narrow the search. If the chain has parted, the length that remained on board shows how far the gear may lie from the position. Buoying the position quickly, where possible, helps even more.

Search Methods

• Visual search by Divers along a line from the last known position.
• Jackstay or circle search from a central point, in turbid water.
• Side-scan sonar or magnetometer, where larger areas must be covered.
• Use of a small grapnel dragged by the dive boat over the likely area.
• Probing in soft mud, as anchors can sink deeply.

Conditions at Kamsar

Visibility in the estuary is often very poor, so searches rely on touch and on instruments. Strong currents limit working time to slack water, and soft mud can bury an anchor completely. We plan the search for the right tide, use buoyed lines and reference points and keep careful records of the area covered, so that no part is searched twice and none is missed.

Lifting and Recovery

Once located, the anchor and chain are rigged with slings or shackles by the Diver, and lifted by the ship's crane or by a hired workboat or crane barge. The weight of a Panamax or Supramax bower anchor is typically several tonnes, and chain is heavy, so lifting must be planned with adequate equipment. The recovered gear is inspected, and where necessary it is reconnected to the ship by a Diver or by the crew.

Documentation and Class

We provide a report with position, search method, depth, photographs of the recovered anchor and chain and the condition of the gear. Class may require a survey of the recovered anchor and chain before it is reused. We also coordinate with the port authority, which may need to be told about hazards on the seabed.

Start a Recovery

Send the ship's details, the last known position and details of the anchor and chain, and we will plan a search and recovery.

Preventing Anchor Loss

Many anchor losses are preventable. Check shackle pins and locking devices at each inspection, test the windlass brake and keep the chain well maintained. Avoid anchoring in poor holding ground or on foul bottom if possible, and keep an eye on weather and current. If the anchor drags, heave up early rather than risking the chain. A short Diver inspection of the anchor and chain at the Kamsar anchorage area is a cheap safeguard.

Alternatives if Recovery Fails

If the anchor cannot be found, the owner may need a replacement anchor and chain, supplied through a ship chandler, with class approval. We help by documenting the loss, the search effort and the position, which supports the insurance claim and the class report.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What information helps find a lost anchor?

Position at loss, heading, chain paid out, depth, time and weather.

Q2. How heavy is the bower anchor of a bulk carrier?

Typically several tonnes, around 5 to 9 tonnes depending on ship size.

Q3. How long does a search take?

From a few hours to 2 days, depending on area, visibility and current.

Q4. Why is mud a problem?

Anchors can sink deep in soft mud, so probing and instruments are needed.

Q5. Is class approval needed after recovery?

Class may need to survey the recovered anchor and chain before reuse.