anchor chain | Price Quote

The anchor plays a major role in a vessel and offshore operations. However, it can only function as long as it remains attached to the floating structure.

Considering the tremendous amounts of force applied to the connection between the anchor and the ship during routine berthing or anchoring conditions, conventional methods of securing the anchor will eventually fail under the extensive stress.

The anchor chain refers to the component that attaches the anchor to the boat or structure and is usually referred to as the anchor rode (or anchor cable). It is superior to conventional methods in terms of strength and load-bearing.

The anchor chain consists of many chain links, and the size is expressed in chain diameter (mm). According to whether there is a strut in the middle of the chain ring, it is divided into nailed anchor chain and nailless anchor chain. Anchor chains can be made by forging, casting and welding.

The marine anchor chain is composed of several "sections" (shackles), each section is 25.0-27.5 meters long, and the sections are connected by chain links or shackles. After the anchor is lifted, the chain is stored in the chain locker in the bow. The specifications of the anchor chain are determined according to the ship construction standard.

It is evident that the anchor chain plays a vital role in conjunction with the anchor. However, since modern anchors are made from metal or from a rope, they stand a high chance of wear and tear related issues, such as rusting or chaffing.

The solution is to constantly monitor the anchor rode whenever it is hauled back on to the vessel.

For this, special stowage arrangements have to be made such that the rode is kept safely away from corrosive substances and so that it can be easily accessed for either maintenance or to paid out with the anchor.

Anchor chains are stored in a chain locker set deep within the hull of the vessel. These are ventilated enclosures that are used to store the anchor while it is not in use, and to house the remaining length of the anchor chain while it is deployed. It can be accessed by engineers and personnel for routine checks or long-term maintenance.

Generally, the floor of the chain locker is reinforced, so that it can bear the extra weight of the metal rode. To haul the chain out of the locker, a series of heavy-duty motors and gears are set up on the deck in pairs.