船舶走锚的主要原因是恶劣的天气条件。在这种情况下，海员收集所有必要的信息以熟悉情况并尽可能防止拖锚是极其重要的。需要考虑的一些重要参数是：

· Prevailing weather condition of that particular area

· Safe position for anchoring the vessel

· Wind and tidal behaviour of that area

· Contact information of port authorities in case of assistance required etc.

在大多数港口，船舶在锚地等待是不可避免的，在锚地的时间可能是数天甚至数周。在此期间，船长和船员应识别可能对船舶造成的危险并做好一切必要的准备。

船舶拖锚对其自身以及附近的其他船舶构成威胁，通常会导致紧急情况，如碰撞、搁浅或搁浅，具体取决于船舶的操纵状况。

在这种情况下，只能通过警惕的驾驶台值班、应对任何紧急情况的应急计划、快速反应和对情况的良好判断来快速评估情况。称重锚并将船舶恢复到其完全可操纵状态可能需要一些时间，但如果有足够的海上空间和时间这样做，则不会发生严重事故。

海员在抛锚之前应考虑以下几点：

· Take on heavy weather ballast, taking in to account the stability of the vessel and depth of water below the keel

· Pay out more anchor cable depending on the size of the vessel and weather condition

· Keep a safe distance from other anchored ships, shoals and other dangers, leaving room for manoeuvring

· Weigh anchor and shift the vessel to different position away from the vicinity of other vessels, provided prior permission is received from VTS of that area, port authorities and owner’s orders

· Increase the efficiency of the bridge team by adding an extra lookout

· Keep the main engines standby for manoeuvrability

How to assess the vessel is dragging its anchor?

· Check the ship’s position at frequent intervals, to confirm if the vessel is outside the swinging circle. Use all available means, both visual and electronic equipment such as GPS, RADAR and ECDIS, to make the appraisal of the situation. If the vessel deviates from the circle, it is likely to be dragging its anchor

· The bow cannot stand against the wind

· Check anchor chains for slipping, a small pole with a cloth as flag like arrangement can be tied to the links to understand the slipping of anchor chains

· Extra vibration and weight on anchor cable

· Check the speed over ground (SOG) when the vessel is swinging, the SOG can increase variably and this should not be misinterpreted

· Check the course recorder for figure of eight motion locus

· Also monitor the position and distance of vessels nearby. In case if they are dragging counter measures to be taken to safe guard own vessel

What actions to be taken if the vessel has started dragging anchor?

· Master to be informed, do not hesitate to call him at any time of the day, his experience and decision making authority is vital in any give situation

· Inform engine room and start the main engine with the permission from the master and give power to windlass if it is not already given. Make the vessel ready for manoeuvring

· Stop all cargo operations and prepare vessel for manoeuvring. Let go cargo barges and crane barges if they are alongside

· Inform and alert Vessel traffic system (VTS) and other vessels nearby about the condition and inform about the actions taken. Seek permission for re-anchoring

· Start heaving up the anchor and once the vessel’s manoeuvrability is restored, shift the anchorage position where drifting can be safer or take to the open sea

· Deploy more cablse or drop a second anchor (not recommended for big vessels) before the speed of dragging of the vessel increases. This can stop the small vessel from dragging anchor at very early stage before the ship is pressed to leeward side with increasing speed

· Use bow thrusters, main engine and steering to manoeuvre. It becomes more difficult to weigh anchor when the vessel is pressed more to the leeward side and takes considerable amount of time. Use bow thrusters for stemming the wind. Do not override the anchor especially in shallow waters as the vessel may impact on the anchor during pitching.

· If the scenario permits, let the vessel drag in a controlled manner. But this is not recommended in areas where offshore work such as oil and gas operations are being carried out, which can result in damaging the submerged pipe lines, cables etc.

· Release the bitter end and let go the anchor completely, when weighing of anchor is not possible. A ship without minimum of 2 anchors is not considered to be sea worthy, a careful assessment is to be made prior making this decision

· Call (tugs) for assistance. This is possible only if the weather permits

大多数事故碰撞或搁浅发生在船舶锚泊时，主要是因为没有早期预测走锚。时间在船舶密度高的区域起着至关重要的作用，这种时间流逝导致难以恢复船舶的机动性。确保制定适当的应急计划以控制此类事件，并避免因走锚而发生任何紧急情况。