Anchor Chain Cable

When the ship is anchored the holding power is not only ancor itself but the
total weight of anchor chain cables on the sea bed.
Genellaly common rink of anchor chain cable has a stud and studless chain is
not used as an anchor chain cable. Studless chain is used as lashing, hand
rail etc.
During an anchor chain inspection, the chain cables should be ranged out on
the dock floor and visually inspected for wear and the link diameter is
measured .Generally the overhauling of eachshackle has been omitted.
Especially the opening up the kenter shackle is very difficult and not so
important for the maintenance of chain cable.

Phto.1 Cahin cable in dry dock(1)

Phto.1 Cahin cable in dry dock(2)

13.1 Kindof chain cable

13.1.1 Type and maunfacturing process
Chin rinks are made of steek bar or cast steel. In case of ULCC and VLCC
almostall are of cast steel.
(1) Type
All ancor chains are stud chain. Studless chain is not used as an anchor
cain cable.
(2)Length and Joining
The length of chain is defined as the distance between the inside edge of the
link at one end and also the inside edge of the link at another end.
In the past, the length of chain cable was 24.0 m, but today almost all
are are 27.5 m. These chains are joined with shackles to form a length that
complies with the requirements of the Equipment Number. The number of
links in a chain is an odd number so the shackle always comes at the same
position on the gypsy wheel of the windlass. To remove the twists of chain
cable, a swivel piece is sometimes connected between anchor and the chain
cable. The number of links in the swivel piece is even number.
(3) Matufacturing process
i) Forging
In these days forged chain is not used as an anchor chain .
ii) Welding
The almost all chains are made by electrically welding.
iii) Cast steel
The big chain for ULCC and VLCC is manufactured by casting. Bycasting
different strength steel chain can be made.
(4) Strength
There are three kinds of chain cables depends on the maerial as follows:
1) Normal strength
2) High strength
3) Extra high. strength
4) The diameter of the chain
The diameter of the chain is that of the common link.

Fig.13-1 Cahin Diameter, the piece between upper and lower pieces is
called stud.

When a large tensile load is applied to this chain, the studs bare the
compression load, therefore, deformation of the link is small and the total
strengh of the stud chain is stronger than the studless chain.
13.1.2 Kind of chain cable
There are two kinds of chain cable depends on the joining means.
(1With end and enlarged link at both ends
When connect using a ordinary joining shackle, both end links do not have
studs for inserting the head of shackle. Then the diameter is bigger than the
common link.The links of both ends are called end link and the next one to
the end link is called second link. Both links have a bigger diameter .Without
the two links at the ends, all other links are called common links.
(2) Common links only
When connection using a kenter shakles, there are neither end link nor
second link. All are common links.

Fig.13-2 Studless chain (short link chain)

Fig.13-3 Stud chain without end link (Join with kenter shackle)
13.1.3 Connection of Chain Cable
The length of anchor chain cable is 24m or 27.5m. So it is necessary to jion
each other using shackles. There are two type of shackles.
One is a joining shackle and the others is a kenter shackle.

Fig.13-3 Joining with joiningshackle

Fig.13-4 joining with kenter shackle

(1) Joining shackle
When the chain is connected with joining shackle, the ends of the chain cable
have no end links so that the head of the joining shackle can pass through.
The second link (enlarged) is an intermediate link used for connecting the end
link and the common link.

Fig.13-5 End rink (above) and Joining shackle (down)

(2) Kenter shackle
When the chain is joined with Kenter shackle, chain cable has neither end link
nor second link. All chain cable consists of common links only.
The construction of this shakle is not a simple like the joining shackle and
more expensive . But it is very useful because the chain can be joined at any
position when it is broken. In case of chain is connected with joining shackle
and broken at the common link, it is impossible to join the broken common link
with the jionung shackle. So in case of all chains connected with joining
shackle, generallythe ship has one or two kenter shakles to join the broken
common link.

Fig.13-6 Dismantling of kenter shackle

(1) Pull out the taper pin
(2) Remove the stud
(3) Dismantle the two parts of the link by sliding them apart; however, if rust

has formed the parts, slide the parts is very difficult ; therefore, sometimes
opening?up may be omitted .
Assembling the Kenter shackle is by reversing procedure. But , if the top and
bottom of the stud are not assembled correctly, the taper
pin cannot be inserted.

Photo 2. Overhauled kentere shackle

Phto 3. Special kenter shaclle

13.1.4 Accessory to Anchor Chain Cable

Acccessories to anchor chain cable are as follows:
(1) Anchor shackle
Large shackle used for connecting the chain cable and the anchor
(2) Joining shackle

AS above mentioned, shackles used for connecting two chain cables; if

studless end links are not provided at both ends , this shackle cannot be
used.
(3) Kenter shackle
Shackles used for connecting a chain consistingof common links only
and no end links.
This shackle has a split construction, therefore, it can be used to connect a
broken chain, irrespective of where the break has occurred. It is more
expensive than the joining shackle; dismantling this shackle is a little difficult.
(4) Swivel
Swivel is ijoined close to the anchor, it has the role of preventing twists in the
chain cable due to its rotation. If a swivel is not provided in the chain, the links
in the chain may be twisted

Fig.13-7 Swivel
(5) Buoy shackle (Harp shackle)
This is a special shackle used for connecting the chain directly to a buoy after
removing the anchor when mooring a ship to a buoy. This shackle is a
shipowner's option and is not a rule requirement. The buoy shackle is
the similar form of a harp so, called a harp shackle.

Fig.13-8 Buoy shakle

13.2 Damage to Chain and Check Point during Inspection

13.2.1 Links
(1) Breaks
A chain cableis broken at the shoulder part of a link due to shearingforce
as shown below. If the link breaks at the parallel part, it is due to a welding
defect.
If the link breaks the chain and the anchor drop into the sea.In this case lost
chain cables and anchor should be discovered and pull up from the seabed.
unless otherwise ancor and chain cables should be renewed.

Fig.13-9 Broken link at the tensile test in the manufacturer

In Grade 2 flash butt chain of diameter 32 mm, the chain broke at a load of
85.9 tons compared to the rule tensile load of 59.4 tons (44.6% over). Not
broken links have no big deformation.

Fig.13-10 Normal breaking

A fully welded chain elongates adequately and breaks at the shoulder (A) due
to shearing. Depending on the impact, the link might also break at (B) and the
stud might be separated.

Fig.13-11 Breaking at welding joint

If welding is defective, the link break at the welded section.
(2) Bending and twisting
Sometimes bending or twisting happens in the links near the anchor in a chain
with no swivel. This occurs when the anchor rotates while it is suspending. In
case of excessive bending or twisting, the chain cannot pass the gypsy wheel
of the windlass; In this case it has to be taken to the manufacturer and
repaired.

Photo.13-10 Bent rink

(3) Blow hole
In case of cast steel chain, sometimesblow holes appear
on the surface, which did not appear during inspection at the manufacturer's
works. Blow holes normally appear in a solid link or in every joining link
A chain with blow holes, when taken to the manufacturer's works and
proof?tested to the specified load showed no decrease in strength; therefore,
blow holes can be ignored depending on the number.

Photo.13-11 Blow hole

13.3.2 Stud
A stud is piece of steel inserted into the link; when a tensile load acts on both
ends of the link, it keeps the link formand holds it firmly. However, if it is
subjected to a large transverse impact, it sometimes works loose and comes
off.
(1) Loss of stud
If the stud is missing, the strength of the chain decreases considerably;
therefore, repairs should be carried out promptly. If transporting to the
manufacturer is difficult , the easy way to repair is to insert an appropriate
steel piece similar to stud in the link to serve as a stud and weld one end of
the piece to the link. In this case, welding is only one end not both ends.

Fig.13-12 Stud insert

(2) Slack
If you strike the stud with a test hammer , you can find whether the stud is
slack or not. If in doubt, touch the stud with your finger while striking it with a
hammer; you shall feel a slight looseness at your finger. If the stud is slack,
either tighten it or weld one end only . If both ends of the stud
are welded, abain crack appears in weldedone end.

Fig.13-13 Examination of stud sluck

Fig.3-14 Stud sluck

Fig.13-15 Lost stud

(3) Cracks
Aged ships have a forge?welded chains. Sometimes, crack appears in stud
end. the studs in these chains are made of tempered iron.

Fig.13-16 Crack in stud

14.3.3 Swivel
The swivel might be provided optionally by the shipowner; it is not provided in
some small ships. The points to be checked in the swivel
are: wear at the neck; if wear is excessive, the eye piece might work loose
and drop off, causing the anchor to fall into the sea. Either the swivel

Fig.13-17 Abrasion of Swivel

should be taken to the manufacturer's works to replace the eye piece, or the
entire swivel should be replaced.
14.3.4 Joining shackle

Fig.13-18 Abrasionof shackle

14.3.5 Anchor shackle
The bolt of anchor shackle should come to the anchor side. If it comes to the
opposite side, when the anchor is heaved up, the anchor shackle might bite
into the bell- mouth and open the shackle, resulting in the
anchor falling.

Before making a connection, confirm that the head of the anchor shackle
can be inserted into the end link, as shown in the figure above. This may not
be possible with some anchor shackles.

The connection is generally made as shown in the above figure ;

however, when the anchor is stowed, the anchor shackle catches at the
bell?mouth as shown in the figure to the right, the anchor shackle opens
and the anchor drops. Such instances have been reported.
Fig.13-19 Connection anchor to chain cable

Fig.13-20 Bell mouth and anchor shckle

13.4 Measurement of chain diameter
13.4.1 Chain diameter
In small ships that operate on short voyage , anchoring is so frequent.
therefore, the chain wears out faster. There have been instances where a
chain reached its wear limit within eight years and had to be renewed. The
anchoring frequency is low for large ships and the diameter of the chain is
also large; therefore, wear is small. For both types of ship, the chain diameter
should be measured during the Docking Survey.

Fig.13-21 Chain diameter

13.4.1 What is the diameter ?
The diameter of the chain in old ships is reduced due to wearing out. The
original diameter is given in the survey report but sometimes the original

diameter is unknown because of the report cannot be found on site.

We can guess the original diameter measuring the length of the link
and divide it by 6. The result will be the original diameter. The length of the
link, even in old ships, shows practically no change.
13.4.2 Exchange the both ends of the chain cable
The chain cable is always stowed in the chain locker. The part of the chain
near the anchor wears out rapidly than the remaining cable in the chain
rocker. Therefore, to prolong the life of the chain cable, it is better to
change the arrangement at anchor side and end in the chain rocker.
Docking survey is very good oportunity to change the arrangement of the
chaincable. Exchanging the both ends also eliminates rust in the part of the
chain cable in the chain locker.
13.4.3 Measuring of cahin diameter
The measuring position is shown in Fig.13-22.
It is difficult to measure the diameter of all links in the limited docking period,
so they pick out 2 or 3 cables on both P and S-side at random and measure
the diameter of both end and middle link . The avarage value is the chain
diameter.
Measured diameter should be entered in the survey report for the next
docking survey.
The wear limit was 10% according to conventional rules, but after the
unification of the IACS standards, this limit has been amended to 12%.
When the rule diameter of the chain is 100 mm, a diameter up to 88 mm may
be acceptable. If the avarage value of measured diameter is exceeds
12% the chain cable shuld be renewed.
But the chain cable is a productio by order so it is impossible to get the new
one immediaetly. Generally surveyor makes an outstanding recommendation
within six months or so.

Fig.13-22 measurement of chain diameter

The diameter is the average of "a" and "b"
13.4.4 biggerdiameter
When the chain is manufactured, round bars are bent and welded; during
these processes, the diameter is sometimes reduced. Taking this reduction,
the diameter of round bar is 2% ~ 3% larger than the rule diameter.
Consequently, in a new ship, the measured results sometimes show a larger
than the rule requirement. At the owners opton, some ships have a chain
with one step above the rule requirement . In such cases, the wear limit shall
correspond to the diameter prescribed by rules.
The measured diameter should be written in the survey report.
13.4.5 Renewal of chain cable
For the renewal of chain cable there are many items. If one of the
following items is not complied, new cahin cable may be useless.
The following items are carefully check in the certificate of chain cable kept on
board.
1). Size
Daimeter and length
2) Material
Depends on the steel, there are two kinds of steel is used for chain cable. One
is mild steel for welded chain and another is cast steel.
And also there are three kinds of mild steel and two kinds of cast steel
depends on the strenght of each steel.
3) Kind of jioning
One is the joining shackle and another is kenter shackle.
When to order a new chain cable, it is better to attach the copy of the
certificate of existing chain cable to ship-chandler. Unless otherwise , for

example, the following items have to be report to order book.

"Diameter 45 mm using Kenter shackle, length 27.5 m, Grade 2 flash butt
chain". If one item is different delivered new chain cable is useless.
13.5 Hawse Pipe and Chain Pipe
In old ships both hawse pipe and chain pipe have to be carefully examined.
Sometimescrack, deform and heavy corrosion are found.
13.6 Chain Locker
Chain lockers in large ships have structures that looks like huge cylinders
suspended on both sides; some chain lockers can be accessed only
by descending the Jacob's Ladder.
Inside the chain locker it is dark and there is a shortage of oxygen because of
rusting, So adequate precautions should be taken when you descend into the
chain locker.
We have to carefully examine the deformation, corrosion around the bilge well
and end connection of chain cable.

Fig.13-23
chain Locker sideview

Fig.13-24 In the chain locker (1)

Fig.13-24 In the chain locker (2)

Fig.13-25 End connection (1)

Fig.13-26 End connection (2)

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If the chain is connected using Kenter shackles, the entire chain consists of
common links only without second link and end link.