Anchorage areas

[makokeith]

Is it ok to drop anchor overnight in these areas? I see them on my gps and my charts....AHMM will not let me tie up to the dock if I want to get some shuteye...

[Capt. Mike]

Hi Kieth,

For the most part yes. But you should get a copy of a coast pilot, this will tell you about the anchorage and any special instructions that might be required. Go to
http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/nsd/coastpilot.htm for a copy. This is very resourceful piece of material, you should check it out.

Capt. Mike
 

[Luna Sea 5]

Is it ok to drop anchor overnight in these areas? I see them on my gps and my charts....AHMM will not let me tie up to the dock if I want to get some shuteye...

you can dock at the AH marina for a nap.. you have to dock next to the fishing pier to do so where you won't be in the way of other boats. The will not grant you permission, but I see it all time, especially after business hours.

[Luna Sea 5]

what does the anchorage area on the gps mean.. can't you anchor anywhere?

[makokeith]

Thanks for the link Capt. Mike.  Luna you mean to the left of the pier between the sailboats and the pier?  I dont remember seing any ladders there but did think that was a good spot to hide

[Luna Sea 5]

Thanks for the link Capt. Mike.  Luna you mean to the left of the pier between the sailboats and the pier?  I dont remember seing any ladders there but did think that was a good spot to hide

you can dock on the opposite of pier 8, floating dock, no ladder needed.  It is the canal where they launch the large boats with the machine lift.

[IrishAyes]

what does the anchorage area on the gps mean.. can't you anchor anywhere?

A special anchorage is an area where vessels less than 20 meters in length are not required to make sound signals while anchored or display anchor lights as would otherwise be required under the Navigation Rules.

The anchorage areas on the GPS are designated as special anchorage.

You can pretty much anchor anywhere outside of a channel.  However, you do need to follow the Navigation Rules and Regs for the light and sound signals when in those areas.  Not required in a marked anchorage area.

[ped579]

Thanks Joe,

The simplified version works.

I would still keep a mast head light lit any way.  Most boats have a second battery and  the draw from a single light is not much on a battery anyway.

Someone should come up with a light that uses LED's which draw very little in way of voltage.  They are bright and almost last forever.  Put three LED's into one unit in case one does burn out so are two left still lit and burning brightly.

There I go rambling again.

Happy Catching

Paul

[IrishAyes]

Hi Paul, and everyone else.

They do make LED lights for boats.  Both for anchor and runnning lights.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_anchor_light

They cost more than a tyical light but I understand they are well worth the extra money.

Also, a special anchorage in the SH area would be the moorings where the sail boats are at the municipal marina.  The boats are normally there, unattended, for an extended period of time.  An anchor light kept burning all night would pull down the battery over a period of time.  Without a shore tie (power from the dock) there would be no way of recharging the batteries.

What you are saying, keep the mast light burning, would be highly recommended in an overnight situation where you will be departing the next day. 

[wb]

I reccommend two anchors hooked up if no one will be standing watch. Always have a backup plan in case the hook comes loose while you're napping. Also 2 hooks minimize vessel swing due to tide/wind change...

[Luna Sea 5]

thanks, that explains it.. i noticed it on the gps, but didn't know what it was for.