The Master's obligation before weighing anchor
Every weighing of anchor is a transition from a state of relative safety (vessel secured) to one of active navigation. The Master's decision to get under way carries the same legal weight as any other navigational act: if it causes damage or collision, the Master owns it. The starting principle is therefore situational awareness and readiness — not just mechanical readiness, but readiness of the vessel, the crew, and the environment.
Assessing the situation before breaking out the anchor
Before giving the order to heave away, the Master must have satisfied several questions:
The anchor itself
- Is the anchor holding or has the vessel dragged during the stay? A bearing check before departure confirms position relative to the original let-go position.
- Which way is the cable lying? Cable direction tells you the direction of the resultant force (wind, tide, or combination) and predicts which way the bow will initially swing as the anchor breaks free.
- Is there another vessel's cable crossed under yours? This is particularly relevant in crowded anchorages and demands reconnaissance before heaving short.
The swinging room and departure route
- Identify other vessels at anchor in the immediate vicinity and plot their swinging circles relative to yours.
- Confirm the intended departure track is clear of dangers and has sufficient under-keel clearance at the state of tide applicable to the time of departure — not the time of arrival.
- Check the traffic situation on the route out of the anchorage; under COLREGS a vessel not yet under way has restricted manoeuvrability and you should not put yourself in that position while another vessel is bearing down.
Propulsion and steering readiness
- Main engine(s) warmed through and confirmed astern movement available before heaving short. You cannot veer cable again if the engine fails to respond once the anchor is aweigh.
- SOLAS V/26.1 requires the steering gear to be tested within 12 hours before departure. If that test was done on arrival at anchor and the vessel has been at anchor longer than 12 hours since the last sea passage, you need to re-test before proceeding.
Crew readiness
- Anchor party briefed, comms established between forecastle and bridge, anchor light to be extinguished as soon as anchor is aweigh and manoeuvring begins.
The manoeuvre
As the cable is shortened in, the bow will veer toward the cable. Use this to your advantage: choose the direction of first movement to open the vessel away from the nearest hazard. Once at short stay, confirm 'anchor aweigh' is communicated immediately — this is the moment COLREGS status changes to 'under way'. Apply helm and engine to hold the desired track clear of other vessels, extinguish anchor light, exhibit underway lights, and proceed to sea.
Post-weighing
Confirm anchor is clear of the bottom, then clear of the water and properly secured before increasing to passage speed. A dragging anchor at speed causes damage and can foul the propeller.