Chapter 4 · Lesson 5Onboard activity · about 7 minutes

Anchoring: the view from the bow

Prepare the bow, control your position and report chain count, lead and anchor status exactly as the bridge has briefed.

Video coming soon

Anchoring: the view from the bow

In the video

  • A powered-off tour of the bow station
  • Sample chain markings and the anchor-status calls

From the captain

Before you start

The bridge cannot see through the bow. At anchor, your job is not to make the anchoring decision for them. Your job is to make sure they are not guessing what the chain is doing.

By the end of this lesson

Explain the bow team's checks and report cable and anchor status without guessing.

See it

See it for yourself

Count the marks. Call what you see.

As the cable runs, each mark passes the point agreed in the briefing. Count it, call it as briefed, and report a lost count at once.

Weighing: anchor clear means properly clear

  1. 1Report the cable as it changesAs the cable comes in.
  2. 2Anchor broken outCall it when the anchor breaks out.
  3. 3Clear of the waterConfirm it. If it is fouled or carrying mud and debris, say so.
  4. 4HousedNot declared until it is secured as the vessel requires.
  5. 5SecuredAs the vessel requires. Report it as its own state.

4/4Lost the count? Report the lost count immediately. Do not improve the guess.

Draft technical visual · marking schemes vary: this vessel's marked and recorded system governs · no length, colour or call format implied · not to scale

What to look for

  • Use this vessel's markings

    Learn the recorded cable-marking scheme and the officer's call format. Do not convert a generic colour sequence into this boat's chain count.

  • Separate the anchor states

    Breaking out, clear of the water, fouled, housed and secured describe different things. Give the actual observation and wait for the next command.

The lesson

The lesson

  1. 01

    Brief and prepare

    The captain or officer selects the anchoring plan and amount of cable. At the bow, confirm your role, PPE, communications, equipment status, emergency stop and safe position. Keep everyone out of the chain, windlass and snap-back zones.

  2. 02

    Control belongs to the procedure

    Windlass, brake, clutch and chain-stopper arrangements vary. Operate only after vessel-specific training and on command. Never reach into moving chain or attempt to clear a pile-up while the system can move.

  3. 03

    Count and call

    Learn the vessel's chain markings and reporting format. A standard shackle is nominally 27.5 metres, but the bridge relies on this vessel's marked and recorded system. Call each mark, the cable's direction and its lead or stay using the terms agreed in the briefing.

    Photo coming soon

    A marking on a length of anchor chain at the bow, showing how this vessel marks its cable.

    One vessel's chain marking. Learn your vessel's marked and recorded scheme.
  4. 04

    Anchor clear means properly clear

    When weighing, report the cable as it changes and call when the anchor breaks out. Confirm whether it is clear of the water, fouled or carrying mud and debris. Do not declare it housed until it is secured as the vessel requires.

Where it goes wrong

The requested amount of chain is estimated after the deckhand loses the markings. The bridge believes the planned cable is out and manoeuvres on bad information. The right response was to report the lost count immediately, not improve the guess.

Your call

What would you do?

Pick one, then read the feedback on all three.

The situation

You miss a chain marking during deployment and are no longer sure of the count.

Take it aboard

Read the bow without running the chain

Do this during your induction or first weeks, with the person responsible for your work.

Walk-through aboard

Use a powered-off installation and the vessel's recorded marking scheme with the responsible crew.

  1. 01Identify controls, brake, clutch, stopper and safe positions through familiarisation.
  2. 02Read sample markings against the actual record.
  3. 03Practise count, direction, lost-count and anchor-status reports.
  4. 04Ask how final securing is confirmed.

What a useful result looks like

  • Marking knowledge is tied to the vessel.
  • Distinct anchor states are reported accurately.
  • No person reaches into chain or machinery.

Stop: No training anchor drop, free-spool demonstration or live-chain handling. The authorised crew establish isolation.

Deckhand Foundation · Job card

Bow team report prompt

From the lesson: Anchoring: the view from the bow

  • Role, plan and calls briefed.
  • Installation training and checks complete.
  • Marking scheme confirmed.
  • Count and direction reported without guesses.
  • Anchor condition and final securing reported separately.

Marking scheme reference

Call terms

Question for familiarisation

Your vessel's procedures and senior crew come first. Nothing on this card is stored.

Quick check

Four decisions, then move on

This check confirms the principle. Your vessel's own induction still comes first.

QUESTION 01Who decides the anchoring plan and amount of cable?
QUESTION 02You lose count of the chain markings. What should you do?
QUESTION 03Why must a new deckhand receive windlass-specific training?
QUESTION 04What should be reported when the anchor breaks out?

0 of 4 answered

Answer all four to check your understanding.