The international guidelines for the performance and safety of sea anchors have been updated to bring them in line with the International Maritime Organization’s International Life-Saving Appliance Code.

A vital component to a rescue boat, sea anchors reduce the likelihood of the boat drifting away or spinning, and keeps it steady in the wind.

ISO 17339:2018, Ships and marine technology – Life saving and fire protection – Sea anchors for survival craft and rescue boats, specifies the requirements—including details such as minimum required drag and resistance to weather.

Robin Townsend, Chair of the ISO technical subcommittee that developed the standard, said “this standard is designed to provide manufacturers with what is required to ensure the anchors not only work effectively, but withstand the conditions in which they are stored.

“It also features test methods such as for strength, towing, and corrosion.”

ISO 17339 was developed by ISO technical committee ISO/TC 8, Ships and marine technology, subcommittee SC 1, Maritime safety, whose secretariat is held by ANSI, ISO’s member for the United States.