To remedy the problem of dragging anchor chains, we propose the following: Add a chapter to the Navigation Rules International-Inland book. The chapter will include how to pay out an anchor chain safely to less than 10 degrees. At greater than 10 degrees the anchor is reduced to %60 of its maximum holding power. The ship will also be instructed to triangulate its bearing every hour. A change in bearing, even a slight change, can indicate a dragging anchor.
We feel this to be the most cost-effective method to remedy this problem. Adding a chapter to a book is inexpensive. The burden will fall on the U.S. government as it is the governing body for international maritime law. Commercial companies will carry the cost of ensuring their cables do not lie in frequent shipping channels which will prevent cable damage on initial anchor impact. Failure to follow what is known as the navigation "rules of the road" can result in loss of a captain's license, thus removing unsafe mariners from the sea.
Why anchors drag
Checking for a dragging anchor
Navigation Rules
Group: Robert Jackson and Dawn Tatum
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