ARAB ACADEMY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND

MARITIME TRANSPORT
A
PRESENTATION
ON

Anchor and anchor chains defects

and repairs
Written By:
Names: Reg. Number:
ESSIET, ODIONGENYENE ISAAC 12200835
SAMPSON, IMOH OSCAR 12200843
EFFIONG, ELVIS OKON
12200841

Outline
Introduction
Anchor Defects and repairs
Break and cracks
Bends
Wear and Tear
Worn out of crown pin
Anchor chains defects and repairs
Breaks
Bending and twisting
Blow hole
Connection of chain cable
Swivel
Conclusion

INTRODUCTION
Most ships lost their anchor completely during
anchorage due to lack of maintenance and repair
of the anchors and anchor chains. When the ship
is anchored the holding power is not only anchor
itself but the total weight of anchor chain cables
on the sea bed. An inspection of the anchors and
anchor chains is carried out during special survey
to detect the defects and the possible repair that
can be done to this equipment. During the survey,
the anchors and anchor chain cables are ranged
on the dock floor to examine the defects such as
break and crack, bend, wear and tear. The links of
the anchor chains should also be examined.

ANCHOR
Anchor Terminology

Anchor Defects and

repairs
1.Break and crack
Breaks or cracks may develop in the shank or the arm
because of defects in the casting during manufacturing.

Repair: In this case the anchor should be change

Small cracks sometimes appears at the

corners of the hole in the under surface of the
crown. This part should be carefully inspected
after sludge is removed and cleaned.
Repair: Depending on the degree of damage,
repair can be carried out by re welding.

Bend
When the anchor is resting on the dock floor,
sometimes both fluke ends do not touch to the
floor, it means, one fluke is raised higher than
the other, then one arm is bent.
Repair: Depending on the degree of the bend,
the

anchor

should

be

send

to

the

manufacturer for repairing or it should be

renewed. In this case also the outstanding
recommendation is appointed.

Wear and tear

Wear to anchor ring
The maximum wear to the anchor ring
appears at the pin. If the wear is only at the
pin, then only the pin may be renewed using
an approved material (forged steel, cast steel
or rolled steel round bar); but in most cases
the hole in the anchor ring is also worn out,

Worn out of crown pin

The crown pin connecting the shank and the
crown

wears

out

in

the

aged

ship

but

generally the wear does not reach a stage

where it needs replacement. However, it is
recommended that the condition of the pin is
to be inspected after cleaning the sludge.

Repair: The block is inserted into the crown

hole and is welded so that the crown pin does
not fall out. There are instances of no block
being used, but molten lead is poured in to
prevent the crown pin from falling out.

Anchor chains defects and repair

During an anchor chain inspection, the chain
cables should be ranged out on the dock floor
and visually inspected for wear and the link
diameter is measured.

Break
A chain cable is broken at the shoulder part of
a link due to shearing force as shown below.
If the link breaks at the parallel part, it is due
to a welding defect. If the link breaks the
chain and the anchor drop into the sea. In this
case lost chain cables and anchor should be
discovered and pull up from the seabed.
Unless otherwise anchor and chain cables
should be renewed.

Bending and twisting

Sometimes bending or twisting happens in the
links near the anchor in a chain with no swivel.
This occurs when the anchor rotates while it is
suspending. In case of excessive bending or
twisting, the chain cannot pass the gypsy
wheel of the windlass; In this case it has to be
taken to the manufacturer and repaired.

Blow hole
In case of cast steel chain, sometimes blow
holes

appearon

the

surface,

Dormant

duringinspection at the manufacturer's works.

Blow holes normally appear in a solid link or in
every joining link. A chain with blow holes
should be taken to the manufacturer's works
and proof tested to the specified load. They
can be re-instated, if there is no change in
strength characteristics.

Connection of Chain Cable

The length of anchor chain cable is27.5m. So
it is necessary to join each other using
shackles. There are two types of shackles. One
is a joining shackle and the others is a kenter
shackle.

Swivel
The swivel might be provided optionally by the
ship owner; it is not provided in some small
ships. The points to be checked in the swivel
are: wear at the neck; if wear is excessive, the
eye piece might work loose and drop off,
causing the anchor to fall into the sea. Either
the

swivel

should

be

taken

to

the

manufacturer's works to replace the eye

piece, or the entire swivel should be replaced.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it is important to consider
the ways in which the classification society
regulates the inspections of anchor and
anchor chains, as this is the vital problems
which lead to the loss of anchor at sea.
hence the anchor and anchor chains
should be inspected by an experienced and
skilled officer.