FTV Anchor Drills off Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

Yesterday the Kennedy arrived in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico for our anchoring drills. The Kennedy is fitted with 2 large Navy Stockless anchors on both the port and starboard ( left and right) side of the bow. We performed performing drills overnight until this morning.

Anchoring drills are a test of the ships anchors and their holding strength. They also are used to help the senior deck cadets practice for being on anchor watch on a real ship. As soon to be third mates, anchor watch, dropping, and hauling the anchor are all parts of that job. These drills give the seniors the hands on communication, handling, and management experience for anchoring operations. The two teams that make up the "anchor party" (team) communicate with each other as to the status of the anchor. One team stands up on the bow of the ship by the anchors and the second team is on the bridge operating the controls.

Boats at anchor have a natural tendency to swing or move from side to side. Also, the wind may change or even reverse direction altogether producing a large diameter circle in which the boat moves. Whether you use one anchor off the bow, two anchors off the bow, or a bow and stern anchor some amount of swing will inevitably take place. However, between these different anchoring styles there will be large differences in the amount of swing produced. Learn more about anchoring.

In the days of Early American vessels a boy delivered a message to the officers gathered on the deck. Many means of communication were necessary on a ship as large as Constitution. A Boatswain’s pipe (click for image) signaled a change in watch for the sailors with a special call: a pipe to dinner, or to begin a chore. A speaking trumpet (click for image) carried over longer distances and called orders to the men aloft; boys ran messages to and from the officers;