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Code of Practice
20 Anchors and Cables
20.1 General
The requirements given in Annex 5 are for a vessel of normal form which may be expected to ride-out storms whilst at anchor and when seabed conditions may not be favourable.
20.2 Anchors
20.2.1 The anchor sizes given in Annex 5 are for high holding power (HHP) types.
20.2.2 When a fisherman type of anchor is provided, the mass given in Annex 5 should be increased by 75% but the diameter of the anchor cable need not be increased.
20.2.3 When a vessel has an unusually high windage, due to heavy rigging (e.g. square-rigger) or large superstructures, the mass of anchor given in Annex 5 should be increased to take account of the increase in wind loading.
The diameter of the anchor cable should be appropriate to the increased mass of anchor.
20.3 Cables
20.3.1 The length of anchor cable attached to an anchor should be appropriate to the area of operation but generally should be not less than 4 x the vessel length overall or 30 metres, whichever is the longer, for each of the main and kedge anchors.
20.3.2 In a vessel of 15 metres in length and over, the anchor cable for the main anchor should be of chain.
20.3.3 In a vessel of less than 15 metres in length, the cable for main anchors and for kedge anchors may be of chain or rope.
20.3.4 When the anchor cable is of rope, there should be not less than 10 metres of chain between the rope and the anchor.
20.4 Towline
A vessel should be provided with a towline of not less than the length and diameter of the kedge anchor cable. The towline may be the warp for the kedge anchor.
20.5 Operational
20.5.1 When an anchor mass is more than 30 kg, a windlass should be provided for handling the anchor.
20.5.2 There should be a strong securing point on the foredeck and a fairlead or roller at the stem head which can be closed over the cable.
20.5.3 Area of Operation Category 0, 1, 2 or 3
.1 A vessel should be provided with at least two anchors (one main and one kedge or two main) and cables, subject to 20.1 and in accordance with the requirements of Annex 5.
.2 Anchors of equivalent holding power may be proposed and provided, subject to approval by the Certifying Authority.
20.5.4 Area of Operation Category 4
A vessel of area category 4 is restricted to operations in favourable weather and daylight. It should be provided with at least two anchors (one main and one kedge or two main), the sizes of which may be not less than 90% of the requirements of Annex 5, corresponding cables and subject to approval by the Certifying Authority.
