LR: SOLAS requirements for anchor handling winches starting January 2026

 

 

SAFETY4SEA

by The Editorial Team

 

 January 14, 2026

 

in Regulation

 

 

 

Credit: Shutterstock

Lloyd’s Register (LR) informs on new mandatory requirements introduced by the IMO for anchor handling winches under SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13, as amended by IMO Resolution MSC.532(107), which came into force on 1 January 2026.

As explained, these amendments follow previous updates covering lifting appliances, and are supported by the IMO Guidelines for Anchor Handling Winches (MSC.1/Circ.1662). The new requirements apply specifically to anchor handling winches, defined as “winches used for the purpose of deploying, recovering and repositioning anchors and mooring lines in subsea operations.”

 

Such winches are commonly found on dedicated anchor handling vessels, offshore support ships, and certain tugboats, and may be either purpose-built for anchor handling or integrated into a

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Chief Engineer (C/E) Standing Orders: What They Cover

 

 

 

M. Public

Essential standing orders for engine room operations and safety management

 

QUICK ANSWER

What are Chief Engineer standing orders?
► Written instructions issued by the Chief Engineer for engine room operations
► Ship-specific requirements reflecting vessel characteristics and trade patterns
► Complement company procedures while adding vessel-specific details
► Must be read, signed and dated by all engineer officers upon joining
► Kept readily available in the engine control room for reference
► Cannot conflict with SMS but provide specific operational guidance
► Reflect Chief Engineer's requirements and Master's standing orders
► Account for engineering team experience and vessel operational circumstances

What are standing orders for?
• Establish clear operational procedures for engine room personnel
• Define circumstances requiring Chief Engineer notification
• Specify machinery monitoring parameters and acceptable limits
• Outline daily routine checks and inspection requirements
• Detail watch handover procedures and responsibilities
• Provide safety protocols for hot work and hazardous operations
• Clarify environmental compliance procedures

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Ship Stability While Underway: Dynamic Motion, Weather Safety

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M. Public

A Guide to Parametric Roll, Broaching, and Stability Loss in Waves

 

QUICK ANSWER: STABILITY WHILE UNDERWAY

A vessel's stability changes dramatically when moving through waves compared to calm water conditions. The metacentric height (GM) that you calculated at departure can increase or decrease by significant margins depending on where the wave crest sits relative to the ship's length. When a wave crest is at midships with troughs at both ends, your GM decreases—potentially to zero or negative values if the initial GM was small. This can trigger sudden capsize without warning, especially in following or stern quartering seas.

Key Points to Remember
► Six independent motions: Your ship moves in surge, sway, heave (translations) plus roll, pitch, yaw (rotations).

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Tipos de timón de barco

 

 

 

Timón en el barco y tipos de timón de barco

1: ¿Qué es el timón?

Un timón es un controlador básico para dirigir.barcos, barcas, submarinos, aerodeslizadores, dirigibles y otros vehículos.  

Los timones se mueven en fluidos, como el aire o el agua. En los aviones, el timón se utiliza principalmente para contrarrestar la guiñada adversa y el factor p, en lugar de realizar virajes directos.

El timón se utiliza paradirigir el barco.La acción de giro depende en gran medida del área del timón. El área requerida del timón varía según el tipo de embarcación, ya que la capacidad de maniobra deseada varía considerablemente y el diseño general del buque puede imponer restricciones.

2:

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Llamando al capitán: cuando tu juicio importa

 

 

 

 

MP

Protocolo del puente, desencadenantes del STCW y puntos de decisión de la guardia de oficiales


RESPUESTA RÁPIDA: POR QUÉ Y CUÁNDO LLAMAR AL MASTER

El  Oficial de Guardia (OOW)  representa al Capitán durante los períodos de guardia asignados. Si bien tiene autoridad operativa para navegar con seguridad, existen situaciones específicas en las que  se debe llamar al Capitán de inmediato . Esto no es opcional, sino un requisito legal respaldado por el derecho marítimo internacional.

Por qué es necesario llamar al capitán
►  Autoridad suprema:  el capitán tiene la máxima responsabilidad legal del buque, la tripulación, la carga y el medio ambiente
►  Experiencia y conocimientos:  los capitanes aportan años de criterio a situaciones complejas que van más allá de la guardia de rutina
►  Mandato reglamentario: los códigos STCW,

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