Section 6 Anchor cable

6.1.1 Anchor cable may be of stud link chain, short link chain, wire rope or fibre rope, subject to the requirements of this Section.

6.1.2 An easy lead of the cables from the windlass to the anchors and chain lockers is to be arranged.

6.1.3 For each anchor required to be carried on board, see Pt 3, Ch 5, 5.1 General 5.1.5, a length of anchor cable, as indicated in Table 5.6.1 Chain cable, is to be provided.

6.2.1 The diameter of stud link chain cable is to be as indicated in Table 5.6.1 Chain cable.

6.2.2 Short link chain cable may be accepted provided that the breaking load is not less than that of stud link chain cable of the diameter required by Table 5.6.1 Chain cable.

6.2.3 Chain cables may be of mild steel, special quality steel or extra quality steel in accordance with the requirements of Ch 10 Equipment for Mooring and Anchoring of the Rules for Materials, and are to be graded in accordance with Table 5.6.2 Grades of steel for use as chain cable.

6.2.4 Grade U1 material having a tensile strength of less than 400 N/mm² is not to be used in association with high holding power anchors. Grade U3 material is to be used only for chain 20,5 mm or more in diameter.

6.2.5 In addition to Pt 3, Ch 5, 6.2 Chain cable 6.2.3 special consideration will be given to the use of chain cable of stainless steel. Stainless steel is to be of a suitable type, details of which are to be submitted for consideration.

6.2.6 The form and proportion of links and shackles are to be in accordance with Ch 10 Equipment for Mooring and Anchoring of the Rules for Materials.

6.3.1 Chain cable with a diameter of 12,5 mm or above is to be certified by Clasifications Register (hereinafter referred to as 'LR'). Chain cable with a diameter below 12,5 mm is to be certified by a recognised testing establishment.

6.3.2 All chain cables are to be tested at establishments and on machines recognised by the Committee and under the supervision of LR's Surveyors or other Officers recognised by the Committee, and in accordance with Ch 10 Equipment for Mooring and Anchoring of the Rules for Materials.

6.3.3 Test certificates showing particulars of size and weight of cable and of the test loads applied are to be furnished. These certificates are to be examined by the Surveyors when the cables are placed on board the craft.

6.4.1 When the Equipment Number does not exceed 500 for craft in Service Groups G1, G2, G2A and G3, steel wire rope may be accepted in lieu of chain cable under the following conditions:

1. A length of chain of the diameter specified in Table 5.6.1 Chain cable is to be fitted to the anchor. The total length of chain is to be not less than 10 per cent of the total required by Table 5.6.1 Chain cable. In no case is the length of chain attached to an anchor to be less than 9 metres.

2. The wire rope used in lieu of chain cable is to have a breaking load of not less than that of the chain cable it replaces.

3. The combined length of the chain cable specified in (a) and the wire is to be not less than the length of chain cable required by Table 5.6.1 Chain cable.

4. Thimbles are to be fitted at both ends of the wire rope, as appropriate.

5. Suitable precautions are to be taken to reduce the wear on the wire rope at fairleads, etc.

6.4.2 Steel wire ropes are to be manufactured, tested and certified as required by Ch 10 Equipment for Mooring and Anchoring of the Rules for Materials .

6.5.1 When the Equipment Number does not exceed 100, polyamide (or other equivalent synthetic fibre) rope may be accepted in lieu of wire rope, subject to compliance with Pt 3, Ch 5, 6.4 Wire rope 6.4.1.

6.5.2 Fibre ropes are to be manufactured, tested and certified as required by Ch 10 Equipment for Mooring and Anchoring of the Rules for Materials.

6.5.3 Synthetic fibre ropes are to be ultra-violet inhibited as necessary, dependent upon their type.

6.6.1 Provision is to be made for securing the bitter end of the chain cable to the ship structure. The fastening for securing the bitter end is to be capable of withstanding a force of not less than 15 per cent and not greater than 30 per cent of the minimum breaking strength of the as fitted chain cable. It is to be provided with suitable means such that, in case of emergency, the chain cable may be easily slipped to sea from an accessible position outside the chain cable locker. Where the mechanism for slipping the chain cable to sea penetrates the chain locker bulkhead, this penetration is to be made watertight.

6.6.2 Alternatively the cable end connection may be accepted where it has been designed and constructed to a recognised National or International Standard.

6.6.3 The cable clench supporting structure is to be adequately stiffened in accordance with the breaking strength of the fastening provided.

6.7.1 It is recommended that suitable bow chain stoppers be provided. Where cables pass through stoppers, these stoppers are to be manufactured from ductile material and be designed to minimise the possibility of damage to, or snagging of, the cable. They are to be capable of withstanding without permanent deformation a load equal to 80 per cent of the Rule breaking load of the cable passing over them. The corresponding stresses induced in the supporting structure are not to exceed the allowable values given in Table 5.6.3 Allowable stresses in windlass and chain stopper supporting structure. The capability of the supporting structure to withstand buckling is also to be assessed. Strength and buckling calculations are to be submitted for consideration.

6.8.1 Adequate storage is to be provided to accommodate the full length of anchor cable.

6.8.2 The chain locker is to be of a capacity and depth adequate to provide an easy direct lead for the cable into the chain pipes, when the cable is fully stowed. Chain or spurling pipes are to be of suitable size and provided with chafing lips. The port and starboard cables are to be separated by a division in the locker.

6.8.3 Chain lockers and spurling pipes are to be watertight up to the exposed weather deck and the space is to be efficiently drained. However, bulkheads between separate chain lockers, or which form a common boundary of chain lockers, need not be watertight.

6.8.4 Where means of access is provided to the chain locker, it is to be closed by a substantial cover and secured by closely spaced bolts.

6.8.5 Where a means of access to spurling pipes or cable lockers is located below the weather deck, the access cover and its securing arrangements are to be in accordance with ISO 5894-1999, or an equivalent National Standard acceptable to LR, recognised standards or equivalent for watertight manhole covers. Butterfly nuts and/or hinged bolts are prohibited as the securing mechanism for the access cover.

6.8.6 The chain locker is to be provided with adequate drainage facilities.

6.9.1 The length and size of chains and wire cables are to be as prescribed by the National Authority for the intended service.

6.9.2 In the absence of specified criteria from the National Authority, the length and size of chains and wire cables can be calculated in accordance with the criteria given in the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Inland Waterways Ships, July 2022, Pt 3, Ch 12, 5 Equipment.