AUTOMATIC ANCHOR WATCHING CONTROL SYSTEM

An automatic anchor watching control system is provided for ships and the like in which the external wind and water forces on the ship are detected and a computation is performed using also the maximum holding force of the anchor and anchor chain derived from detected sea bottom soil type and calculated according to catenary theory from detected values of anchor chain tension, anchor chain length and water depth. If necessary, computed control signals are outputted to the ship's propulsion and turning gear to maintain the actual anchor chain tension below the calculated maximum holding force. Automatic drag detection is also performed by comparison of the calculated distance from the ship to the anchor with the present distance of the ship from the position of the anchor when the first cast, forces to check any detected drag being generated by the application of appropriate control signals to the propulsion and turning gear.