ICE NAVIGATION IN CANADIAN WATERS
4.3.1 Superstructure Icing :
ʺIt is important to maintain the anchor windlass free of ice so that the anchor may be dropped in case of emergency. Constant spray entering the hawse pipes may freeze solid inside the pipe, also anchors stowed in recessed pockets may freeze in place, both conditions preventing letting the anchor go. It is a good practice in freezing spray «to leave anchors slightly lowered in the hawse pipe in order to free them from ice accretion when needed». It is also advisable to maintain securing claws in place in case of slippery brakes, so that the anchors can be readily released in the event of a power blackout.ʺ
The technique involves heaving up the anchors from their slightly lowered position in the hawse to break up the ice build-up. It that doesn’t work, steam would have to be employed like we used to on coastal tankers. It would therefore be difficult to free the anchors from ice accretion under a power blackout, as the windlass is not feed by the emergency generator and steam is mostly nonexistent. So regular de-icing maintenance is paramount.
From the bow picture, the anchors are not stowed in ice-covered recessed pockets and do not seem either to be that frozen up.
