Anchoring

Words and expressions

road/roadstead = rad
berth = dan
to pay out (away) = a fila (parm, lan)
tidal stream = curent de maree
current = curent
to let go = a mola, a fundarisi
ebb = reflux
tide = maree
depth = adncime
to approach = a se apropia
off-shore = la larg de coast
landmark = reper costier
anchorage = ancoraj
bearing = relevment
entrance = intrare
to shelter = a adposti
high land = mal, coast nalt
bottom = fund
ground = fund
good-holding = care ine bine
deck-hand = marinar de punte
to steer for = a guverna pe
to heave up = a vira, a recupera
to arrange = a aranja
to bring the ship to anchor = a aduce nava la ancoraj
to slacken speed = a reduce viteza
to ride at anchor = a sta la ancor
the ship rides to one anchor = nava are o singur ancor fundarisit
to bring the ships head up into the wind = a aduce prova n vnt
to drop anchor = a fundarisi ancora
to be stem on to the current = a sta cu prova n vnt
to give a ship the sterway with the engine = a deplasa nava napoi folosind maina
to swing at anchor = a gira la ancor
to weigh anchor = a vira, a ridica ancora
to keep in line = a menine un aliniament
to alter the course = a schimba de drum
to take bearings on = a lua relevmente la
Text
Ships may anchor either in the open roadstead or in the inner harbour. To bring
the ship to anchor, it is necessary to slacken speed and stop the engine at the proper
time. Both anchors must be ready to let go.
The ship may ride to one or two anchors. If there is a strong wind, it is
necessary to bring her head up into the wind. In case there is a strong tidal stream or
current the ship should be stem on to the current.

When the ship is near her intended place, she is given a little sternway with the
engine (if there is no wind or current) and one anchor is dropped, then the anchor
chain is paid out, and, if necessary, the other anchor is let go.
When the chain is brought up, that is when the vessel has come to rest in
water, the brake is set as tight as possible.
The scope of chain to be paid out depends on many factors, such as the size of
the ship, the weather and tide conditions, the quality of the holding ground. It is the
captain or the watch officer who must determine how much of chain is to be paid out
in each case. Usually, a length of chain equal to about five times the depth of water is
sufficient.
When the ship has been anchored, the watch officer takes the anchorage
bearings. He also sees that the soundings are taken at the anchorage and enters into
the log book both the bearings and soundings. Then he marks the ships position on
the chart.
When the vessel is at anchor at night one ore more men are posted on anchor
watch. It is their duty under the officer of the watch to see to the security of the ship,
to see that there is sufficient room for the vessel to swing with the tide without
striking another vessel.
Dialogues
***
P: In an hours time we will approach the port. As its ebb time now we shall have to
wait for the tide in the outer roadstead. The depths in the entrance to port are not
sufficient for our draft.
C: How long shall we wait for the tide?
P: We will have to wait until sunset.
C: Shall we have to anchor or may we make fast to the mooring buoys there?
P: There are no mooring buoys there; well have to anchor half a mile off-shore.
C: What landmarks shall we have there for the anchorage?
P: There is a conspicuous water tower on the coast, which should be kept on bearing
36 and the lighthouse at the port entrance, which should bear 78.
C: What are the depths at the anchorage?
P: The depths are about 20 fathoms. The anchorage is well sheltered from winds by
high land.
C: What is the character of the bottom there?
P: The bottom is quite even; there are no rocks or shoals.
C: What is the nature of the ground there?
P: There is good holding ground: soft mud with few patches of sand.
C: Is there enough room at the anchorage for swining?
P: Oh, there is plenty of room for several ships.
C = captain