Anchor Handling (Oilfield Seamanship Series Volume 3)

This volume of the Oilfield Seamanship Series provides practical guidance on all aspects of anchor handling, such as anchor retrieval, rigging for anchor handling and recovery gear for fishing and grappling operations. The book is supported by extensive diagrams, illustrating sequences such as breaking out anchors and the stowage of chain on deck, as well as equipment design.

Part 1 Introduction
1.1 Preamble
1.2 Characteristics of anchor handling vessels

Part 2 Equipment Layout and Function
2.1 Standard deck layouts AHT and AHTS
2.2 Guide pins, stoppers and similar equipment
2.3 Stern rollers and stern gates
2.4 Anchor handling winches
2.5 Thrusters, rudders and nozzles
2.6 Control station layouts
2.7 Anchors, wire rope, shackles and gear

Part 3 Rigging for Anchor Handling
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Deck rigged for anchor handling – permanent chain chaser (PCC) system
3.3 Deck rigged for anchor handling – buoyed system
3.4 Deck rigged for laybarge anchor handling – suitcase buoys
3.5 Equipment preparations for anchor handling
3.6 Inventory of anchor handling equipment
3.7 Spooling up pennant wires
3.8 Workwires – length and amount in/out
3.9 Pulling power of winches

Part 4 Running and Retrieving Anchors
4.1 Permanent chain chaser (PCC) systems – operational notes
4.2 Running out to anchor – operational notes – chain chasers
4.3 Retrieval – operational notes
4.4 Breaking out the anchor – operational notes and breakout forces
4.5 Decking anchor – PCC system
4.6 Running and retrieving anchors – two boats
4.7 Buoyed mooring systems – components
4.8 Buoys – general information
4.9 Running to location – buoyed system
4.10 Retrieving anchors – buoyed mooring systems notes

Part 5 Laybarge Anchor Work
5.1 Characteristics of laybarge anchor work including barge/tug dialogue phrases
5.2 Sequence of events

Part 6 Fishing and Grappling Operations
6.1 Introduction
6.2 How it's done – setting up the gear
6.3 Methods of recovery
6.4 Cautions
6.5 Hints on recovery
6.6 Specifications of useful recovery gear
6.7 Common mooring chain specifications/sizes
6.8 Running anchors over obstructions
6.9 Unusual anchor handling methods – without use of winches and surface pennants
6.10 Unusual anchor handling methods – ultra deep water

Part 7 Handling Chain
7.1 Operations where chain handling is required
7.2 Routine operations
7.3 Non-routine operations
7.4 Basic checks including chain/locker capacity/volume calculations
7.5 Tools and equipment for chain handling
7.6 Rigging up for handling chain into lockers
7.7 Cautions and hints
7.8 Stowage of chain on deck
7.9 Marking chains
7.10 Making/breaking links
7.11 Assembly/disassembly of links – notes
7.12 Cutting chain
7.13 General chain handling notes

Part 8 Support Mooring Operations
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Pre-laid mooring systems – introduction
8.3 Pre-laid moorings – types
8.4 Testing pre-laid moorings
8.5 Installation of single point mooring spread – example

Part 9 Safety Procedures
9.1 Anchor handling safety – general
9.2 General safety precautions
9.3 Clothing of deck crew
9.4 Lighting
9.5 Communications
9.6 Deck organisation for safety – tool box/rack, high visibility paint, tugger wire ends, using wire rope/chain strops
9.7 Avoid injury
9.8 Crew team work
9.9 Securing pennant wire eyes in karm forks/shark jaws
9.10 Securing anchors and buoys

Part 10 Maintenance of Equipment
10.1 Deck equipment
10.2 Wire rope inspection

Part 11 Boat/Barge Cooperation
11.1 Understanding the operation and operational planning
11.2 Assisting the barge
11.3 Inspection and repair of equipment
11.4 Machinery breakdown
11.5 Working within 'the boats' limitations
11.6 Log books and records

Part 12 Checklists – Examples

Part 13 Boat Handling/Avoiding Danger
13.1 Basic techniques
13.2 Walking sideways
13.3 Using wind and tide
13.4 Running anchors across wind and current
13.5 Avoiding and recognising danger
13.6 PosCon systems
13.7 Working bow/stern to weather
13.8 'Slip over' problems
13.9 Trimming the boat for anchor handling
13.10 Avoiding damage – damage and breakage of pennant wires, damage to rudders, nozzles and propellors

Part 14 Anchor Positioning Equipment
14.1 General remarks
14.2 Laser range finding
14.3 Tug management systems
14.4 Echo sounding systems

Part 15 Useful Tables, Formulae and Data
15.1 Common types of oilfield high holding power anchors
15.2 Mooring line calculations – formula abbreviations note on units
15.3 Mooring line catenary data – nomenclature
15.4 Mooring line calculation formulae – suspended length, touch down distance, horizontal tension, vertical tension, catenary depth, distance between suspension points
15.5 Use of catenary formula – example
15.6 Tables of hyperbolic functions
15.7 Chart – anchor system holding capacity in mud
15.8 Chart – anchor system holding capacity in sand
15.9 Soil and drag anchor capacity
15.10 Ways to improve anchor performance
15.11 Fluke shank angle

Michael Hancox

Captain Michael Hancox is a Marine Consultant and former Director of Hancox Marine Services Limited.

Witherbys

Witherbys titles are developed using scripts developed by technical experts that are peer reviewed within work groups. Typically, they seek to improve understanding of the regulations, recommendations and guidelines issued by Industry.

Witherbys staff have significant expertise in the fields of navigation and hazardous cargoes as well as in the presentation of complex subjects in a graphic and easy to understand manner.