Anchoring Operations - Key Risks & Best Practices
Taslim Imad
Published: June 15, 2026
What contributes to safe and effective anchoring operations?
Anchoring is a routine part of vessel operations, but it involves a range of operational and environmental risks. Incidents such as collisions, groundings, anchor losses, damage to subsea infrastructure and marine pollution continue to occur across the industry.
These incidents are rarely the result of a single factor. They typically arise from a combination of operational, environmental, technical and human factors, often in congested or challenging conditions.
As operational demands evolve, maintaining a clear understanding of anchoring risks remains important. A structured approach to planning, execution and monitoring can support more consistent and reliable outcomes.
This Risk Alert provides an overview of key risks associated with anchoring operations and highlights practical considerations to support effective risk management. It outlines measures relating to planning, anchoring techniques, monitoring, crew awareness and equipment maintenance. Developing awareness of these factors can help support safer operations and reduce overall exposure.
Read the full Risk Alert to explore the key risks and practical measures relevant to anchoring operations.
