33 CFR 164.19: Requirements for vessels at anchor

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets duties for the master or person in charge of each anchored vessel. They must ensure a proper anchor watch is kept and procedures are followed to detect a dragging anchor. They must also ensure action is taken when weather, tide, or current is likely to cause dragging.

Applies toThe master or person in charge of each vessel that is anchored.

What it says

  1. The master or person in charge of each anchored vessel must ensure that a proper anchor watch is maintained.

    33 CFR 164.19(a)“A proper anchor watch is maintained;”

  2. The master or person in charge must ensure that procedures are followed to detect a dragging anchor.

    33 CFR 164.19(b)“Procedures are followed to detect a dragging anchor; and”

  3. Whenever weather, tide, or current conditions are likely to cause the anchor to drag, the master or person in charge must ensure action is taken to keep the vessel, structures, and other vessels safe.

    33 CFR 164.19(c)“Whenever weather, tide, or current conditions are likely to cause the vessel's anchor to drag, action is taken to ensure the safety of the vessel, structures, and other vessels”

  4. Examples of such action are being ready to veer chain, let go a second anchor, or get underway using the vessel's own propulsion or tug assistance.

    33 CFR 164.19(c)“such as being ready to veer chain, let go a second anchor, or get underway using the vessel's own propulsion or tug assistance.”

Common questions

Who is responsible for anchor watch on an anchored vessel?

The master or person in charge of each anchored vessel must ensure a proper anchor watch is maintained.

“The master or person in charge of each vessel that is anchored shall ensure that:”

What must be done when conditions may make an anchor drag?

Action must be taken to ensure the safety of the vessel, structures, and other vessels. Examples include being ready to veer chain, let go a second anchor, or get underway.

“such as being ready to veer chain, let go a second anchor, or get underway using the vessel's own propulsion or tug assistance.”

Do anchored vessels need procedures to detect a dragging anchor?

Yes. The master or person in charge must ensure procedures are followed to detect a dragging anchor.

“Procedures are followed to detect a dragging anchor; and”

The text of 33 CFR 164.19

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Requirements for vessels at anchor

The master or person in charge of each vessel that is anchored shall ensure that:

(a) A proper anchor watch is maintained;

(b) Procedures are followed to detect a dragging anchor; and

(c) Whenever weather, tide, or current conditions are likely to cause the vessel's anchor to drag, action is taken to ensure the safety of the vessel, structures, and other vessels, such as being ready to veer chain, let go a second anchor, or get underway using the vessel's own propulsion or tug assistance.

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.