I was making my way through some locks and a ship has this exact same
problem. The pilot dropped anchor and turned the boat so it would do the
least amount of damage. The lock was spared any serious damage. The only
problem was the ship blocked anyone from using the lock. It probably took
12 hrs to clear the channel.

I don't know if dropping the anchor helped, but I was told this is SAP.


wrote in message
ups.com...


Butch Davis wrote:
Don't they use anchors up there. Seems to me that as part of the docking
procedure they would have crew prepared to deploy a stern anchor in case
of
a loss of power. It's not as though accidents of this type are uncommon
for
boats or ships.

You reckon the standing orders have been changed?

Butch

I'm not sure if you're serious or not.

IMO, stopping the boat with an anchor wouldn't be practical.
By the time the pilot realizes he isn't going to be able to stop, (loss
of reverse is a common cause for this type of incident)the boat is
usually very near the dock. Most of these ferries approach the dock at
a fast clip until the few hundred yards, then rely on momentum, and
finally employ some reverse thrust. "Reverse" may not actually be the
technically correct term on a ferry boat, as many have engines on both
ends and opposite propulsion is generated by engaging the leading
engines.

It wouldn't seem like there would be any way to get a large enough
anchor down fast enough, or time and distance enough to pay out
sufficient scope to get it to hold. The momentum of a ship of that size
would drag almost any anchor along like a plow for a considerable
distance. While it would certainly be possible to anchor such a ship, I
don't think it could be accomplished quickly and effectively in a close
quarter emergency.

Rather than hoping to deploy an anchor, I think a better procedure
would be to stop and test "reverse" in mid crossing. If it can be
determined that reverse is not going to be there when needed, it is a
lot safer and more practical to deal with the problem when not bearing
down on a dock.

Major bummer for the folks who lost their boats. Thankfully, it seems
that there were no serious injuries.