Location: Jaigarh Port
By Saif Alam
Rank: OS
Vessel: JSW Lohgad
Description of Event:
It was the peak of the monsoon, June 2024, when our vessel lay anchored between Buoy No.13 and the breakwater at Jaigarh Port. Heavy swells rolled across the harbour, and visibility was good. We had dropped the port anchor earlier, waiting for instructions. By noon, the Port Authority called us to proceed with loading.
As we began to heave up anchor, under the watch of Captain Clifford Carvalho, 2nd Officer Junaid Ahmed Sheikh was on the forecastle deck, guiding the operation. The windlass groaned as the chain came up unusually tight. When the anchor was sighted, our hearts sank: another ship's anchor chain was fouled and tightly interlocked with ours!
Root Cause:
- Another ship's anchor chain was fouled and tightly interlocked with ours.
Immediate Action Taken:
Despite several attempts to lower and heave up, the anchors refused to part. Captain Carvalho decided to summon a tug and prepare for gas cutting, but before help arrived, the situation worsened: the chains twisted even more!
Yet, we refused to yield. With calculated manoeuvres, using the ship's engine, helm, and anchor brake control, we finally freed our anchor, without any tug assistance. Cheers erupted on deck. It was a perfect display of seamanship, teamwork, and the unwavering resolve of our crew amidst the roaring monsoon seas.
Potential Consequences:
- Damage to anchor, anchor chain, or windlass equipment.
- Delay in proceeding with loading operations.
- Requirement for tug assistance or gas cutting operations.
- Risk to personnel during anchor recovery operations.
- Vessel operational delays and additional costs.
Corrective / Preventive Action:
- Several attempts to lower and heave up were carried out to free the anchors.
- Tug assistance and gas cutting were prepared as contingency measures.
- Calculated manoeuvres were carried out using the ship's engine, helm, and anchor brake control to free the anchor.
