Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Anchoring and Mooring Techniques Course

This course gives you a practical, in-depth grounding in handling vessels safely at anchor and alongside. You will learn the elements of anchoring and mooring and the forces acting on the boat, the types of anchor, chain, rode, windlass and shackles, how to choose an anchorage, calculate scope, drop and weigh anchor and watch for dragging, and how to moor stern-to, bow-to or alongside with springs, breast lines and fenders or to a buoy, finishing with an anchoring and mooring plan for real conditions.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
Program diagnosis

Prior knowledge check

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About the program

What is the Anchoring and Mooring Techniques Course?

This short course is designed for deckhands, officers and skippers who want to refine their anchoring and mooring skills, deck supervisors and safety officers who need to update their knowledge of equipment and procedures in port and at anchor, nautical students and trainees, terminal and shipyard staff involved in berthing and unberthing, and maritime inspectors who assess these operations. You will study the elements of anchoring and mooring, types of anchorage, the forces acting on the vessel, anchors, chain, rode and windlass, anchoring techniques including scope and two-anchor moorings, and mooring techniques at pontoons, quays and buoys.

What sets this course apart: it focuses on the maneuvers themselves, how to anchor, moor, hold and leave safely, rather than on the maintenance of deck machinery; it follows each operation step by step, from choosing the spot and calculating scope to watching for dragging and arranging springs, breast lines and fenders; and it gives special weight to adverse conditions, with wind, current and heavy weather, common errors and a final project in which you draw up a complete anchoring and mooring plan.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • The basics: anchoring and mooring elements, types of anchorage and the forces of wind, current and waves on the vessel.
  • Ground tackle: anchor types, chain and rode, windlass, shackles and connecting hardware, and their upkeep.
  • Anchoring step by step: choosing the spot, calculating scope, letting go and setting the anchor.
  • Holding safely: two-anchor moorings, anchor watch and how to detect and react to dragging.
  • Mooring alongside and stern-to: springs, breast lines, head and stern lines, fenders and mooring to a buoy.
  • Heavy weather: anchoring in wind and current, weighing anchor, extra lines and the most common mistakes.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Anchoring and Mooring Techniques Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Foundations of anchoring and mooring

  • 1.1. Anchoring and mooring elements
  • 1.2. Types of anchorage
  • 1.3. Forces acting on the vessel
  • 1.4. Regulations
  • 1.5. Safety
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Anchors, chain and rode

  • 2.1. Types of anchor
  • 2.2. Anchor chain and rode
  • 2.3. The windlass
  • 2.4. Shackles and connecting hardware
  • 2.5. Maintenance
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Anchoring techniques

  • 3.1. Choosing the spot
  • 3.2. Calculating the scope
  • 3.3. The anchoring maneuver
  • 3.4. Anchoring with two anchors
  • 3.5. Anchor watch and dragging
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Mooring techniques

  • 4.1. Mooring at a pontoon and quay
  • 4.2. Bow-to, stern-to and alongside mooring
  • 4.3. Springs and head and stern lines
  • 4.4. Fenders
  • 4.5. Mooring to a buoy
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Adverse conditions and practice

  • 5.1. Anchoring in wind and current
  • 5.2. Weighing anchor
  • 5.3. Mooring in bad weather
  • 5.4. Common errors
  • 5.5. Final project: anchoring and mooring plan
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Anchoring and Mooring Techniques Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Anchoring and Mooring Techniques Course

01Select the right anchor, chain, rode and mooring lines for each vessel, seabed and set of conditions, understanding how each element contributes to holding power.
02Plan and carry out anchoring maneuvers safely, choosing the spot, calculating scope according to depth, tide and weather, and setting the anchor correctly.
03Moor alongside, bow-to, stern-to or to a buoy using springs, head and stern lines and fenders arranged to keep the vessel secure and protected.
04Assess and reduce the risks of anchoring and mooring operations, setting clear procedures, crew roles and communication and keeping an effective anchor watch.
05Inspect and maintain ground tackle and mooring equipment, identifying wear, corrosion and damage and replacing defective components before they fail.
06Adapt anchoring and mooring to adverse conditions, using a second anchor, extra lines or a change of berth when wind, current or swell increase.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Anchoring and Mooring Techniques Course

01Deckhand or bosun responsible for anchoring and mooring operations on yachts, passenger boats and workboats
02Skipper of recreational or charter vessels, together with the qualification required by the competent authority to command them
03Marina or port mooring staff, assisting vessels with berthing, unberthing and line handling
04Deck supervisor or safety officer reviewing anchoring and mooring procedures on board
05Assistant to maritime inspectors and surveyors who assess ground tackle, mooring arrangements and operating practices
06Sales adviser for anchors, chain, lines and mooring equipment at chandleries and specialized suppliers
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Anchoring and Mooring Techniques Course

Anchoring means holding the vessel in position with its own anchor and chain or rode on the seabed. Mooring means securing it with lines to a fixed point such as a quay, pontoon or buoy.

It depends on the depth, the height of the bow, the tide, the seabed and the expected weather. The course explains how to calculate scope for chain and for rope, and when to increase it.

By checking transits or bearings on fixed references, watching the GPS track or an anchor alarm and noticing changes in the boat's motion or the chain. The course covers the anchor watch and what to do if dragging starts.

Only in part. It covers the basic upkeep of anchors, chain, windlass and lines, but its focus is the anchoring and mooring maneuvers themselves and how to carry them out safely.

It is not required, although some time on board and basic nautical terminology help. The course starts with the elements and forces involved before moving on to the maneuvers.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with concise video lessons, simulated exercises, complementary materials and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of 60 hours each. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at deckhands, officers, skippers, deck supervisors, nautical students, port and shipyard staff and maritime inspectors; basic nautical terminology and some time on board help, and basic notions of physics such as force, tension and friction make the calculations easier.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer, tablet or smartphone with a stable internet connection and an up-to-date browser.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $176 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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