4.12 Anchoring arrangements for surface and column-stabilized units footnote
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - 2009 MODU Code - Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 2009 – Resolution A.1023(26) - Chapter 4 - Machinery Installations for All Types of Units - 4.12 Anchoring arrangements for surface and column-stabilized units1

4.12 Anchoring arrangements for surface and column-stabilized units footnote

  4.12.1 Anchoring arrangements, where fitted as the sole means for position keeping, should be provided with adequate factors of safety and be designed to maintain the unit on station in all design conditions. The arrangements should be such that a failure of any single component should not cause progressive failure of the remaining anchoring arrangements.

  4.12.2 The anchors, cables, shackles and other associated connecting equipment should be designed, manufactured and tested in accordance with an internationally recognized standard for offshore mooring equipment. Documentation of testing, where applicable, should be maintained on board the unit. Provisions should be made on board for the recording of changes to and inspection of the equipment.

  4.12.3 Anchor cables may be of wire, rope, chain or any combination thereof.

  4.12.4 Means should be provided to enable the anchor cable to be released from the unit after loss of main power.

  4.12.5 Fairleads and sheaves should be designed to prevent excessive bending and wear of the anchor cable. The attachments to the hull or structure should be such as to adequately withstand the stresses imposed when an anchor cable is loaded to its breaking strength.

  4.12.6 Suitable anchor stowage arrangements should be provided to prevent movement of the anchors in a seaway.

  4.12.7 Each windlass should be provided with two independent power-operated brakes. Each brake should be capable of holding against a static load in the anchor cable of at least 50% of its breaking strength. Where the Administration so allows, one of the brakes may be replaced by a manually operated brake.

  4.12.8 The design of the windlass should provide for adequate dynamic braking capacity to control normal combinations of loads from the anchor, anchor cable and anchor handling vessel during the deployment of the anchors at the maximum design payout speed of the windlass.

  4.12.9 On loss of power to the windlasses, the power-operated braking system should be automatically applied and be capable of holding against 50% of the total static braking capacity of the windlass.

  4.12.10 Each windlass should be capable of being controlled from a position which provides a good view of the operation.

  4.12.11 Means should be provided at the windlass control position to monitor cable tension and windlass power load and to indicate the amount of cable paid out.

  4.12.12 A manned control station should be provided with means to indicate and automatically record cable tensions and the wind speed and direction.

  4.12.13 Reliable means should be provided to communicate between locations critical to the anchoring operation.

  4.12.14 Special consideration should be given to arrangements where the anchoring systems provided are used in conjunction with thrusters to maintain the unit on station.


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