Maritime Glossary
Anchor
Also known as: bower anchor, sheet anchor
A heavy metal device attached to the ship by chain cable and dropped to the seabed to hold the vessel in position.
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Full Definition
A ship's bower anchor is stowed in the hawse pipe at the bow and connected by calibrated stud-link chain cable; length is measured in shackles (each 27.5 m). Holding power depends on anchor type (stockless, high-holding-power), scope of chain deployed, and seabed quality (mud > sand > rock). The windlass raises and lowers the anchor. Anchor watches and emergency anchoring procedures are required under the SMS. An anchor also acts as an emergency brake in close-quarters manoeuvring.
Domain Tags
seamanshipengineeringoperations