NS100

Fundamentals of
Naval Science

Anchoring
 Objectives:
1. Discuss considerations in determining a
suitable anchorage.

2. Discuss sources of navigational information

for anchoring.

3. Describe the methods of designating an

anchorage.
 Objectives:
4. Define the terminology associated with
anchoring.

5. Demonstrate the proper methods to plotting

an anchorage.

6. Describe the post-anchoring procedures.

Pre-anchoring Considerations
✔ Sufficient navaids
✔ Safety from seas and weather
✔ Bottom characteristics w/o
obstructions/hazards
✔ Depth
✔ Proximity to boat landings
✔ Anticipated direction of wind and seas
 Pre-anchoring Considerations
There will be occasions in which the navigator
will not be the one choosing the anchorage.
Should the designated anchorage not be
satisfactory to the navigator or the CO, they are
obligated to raise their concerns.
 Research
✔ Chart
✔ Publications, to include:
– Coast Pilots
– Enroute Sailing Directions
– Fleet Guides (ports most frequented by USN ships)
✔ Word-of-mouth
✔ Pass down files
 Designating Anchorages
1. Provide bearing and range to a prominent
navaid. Most accurate method.

2. Provide a latitude and longitude. Less

accurate method.
3. GPS
 Terminology
Approach Track - Final leg that the ship must
follow to arrive at the center of the anchorage.

Head Bearing - The bearing to a prominent

navaid which is on the same bearing as the
approach track.
 Terminology
Letting-go Circle - A circle drawn around the
anchorage with a radius equal to the distance
from the hawsepipe to the pelorus.

Letting-go Bearing - A bearing that marks the

anchor drop point. A bearing that intersects
the head bearing, letting-go circle and a
prominent navaid close to either beam.
 Terminology
Range Arcs - Arcs drawn around the center of
the anchorage designating distance to the
anchorage. Drawn in 100 yard increments
measured outward from the Letting-Go Circle
anchorage for the last 1000 yards of the
approach, and at the 1200 yd, 1500 yd and
2000 yd marks.
 10 8 4
20 Kentmore marina
10
Mast 6
12 8
HEAD BEARING
4
040 2
20 14 H
B 10
RANGE 20 16 G1 G C 3 Piles
ARCS LETTING GO Dredged 10 ft 1996
16 CIRCLE R2 R N 4

14 4
16
R12 10
20 LG Fl R 2.5s 2
B141 Hobbs Lt Fl 2s 70ft 15M
40 Hobbs Pepe Pt
20
APPROACH LETTING GO Rks τ 4 Fl 6s 54ft 7M
TRACK
20 6 τ
BEARING
14 Red 2
16 τ τ 10
8 4 6
16 14 12 τ Pepe 8
14 16 Uncov. Reef 12
14 1m 14
16
R14
16
20 Anchorage16 Plot Fl R 5s
16
 Terminology
Swing Circle - A circle drawn from the actual
anchor location with a radius equal to the
length of anchor chain veered plus the total
length of the ship.

Drag Circle - A circle drawn from the actual

anchor location with a radius equal to the
length of the anchor chain veered plus the
distance from the hawespipe to the pelorus.
Drag / Swing Circle

130 yds
300 yards

Drag Circle

Swing Circle
 Anchorage Plot
Preparation (Pre-Sail):
Step 1 - Predict the effects of wind and current
along the approach track.

Step 2 - Identify a prominent navaid to use as a

head bearing and plot the approach track.

Step 3 - Measure and plot the radius of the

letting-go circle over the center of the
anchorage
 Anchorage Plot
Preparation (Pre-Sail):
Step 4 - Scribe and label the range arcs on the
chart.

Step 5 - Select a suitable navaid to use as a

Letting-go bearing, and plot the LGB on the
chart.
N
TR Anchorage Plot

HB 004
Tank Stack
LGC LGB 096

TB TR 004
30
5

0 64
T R
N
TR Anchorage Plot

HB 004
Tank Stack
100
LGB 096
200
300
400
TB TR 004 500
30 600
5 700
800
900
1000

1200

1400

0 64
T R
 Anchorage Plot
At Anchor (Post-Sail):
Step 1 - As the anchor is “Let go”, take a fix
noting the ship’s heading.

Step 2 - Once the fix is plotted, the anchor

position is plotted (measured from the fix in
the direction of the ship’s head at a distance
equal to the distance between the hawespipe
and the pelorus.
 Anchorage Plot
At Anchor (Post-Sail):
Step 3 - Plot the swing and drag circles around
the anchor’s actual position.
Post-anchoring Considerations
✔ Veer out sufficient anchor chain
(one shot of chain is 90ft)
✔ Cover the chart with acetate over the
swing and drag circles
✔ Select the navaids to use to fix the
ship’s position while at anchor
✔ Set the “Anchor watch”
 10 8 4
20 Kentmore marina
10
Mast 6
12 8
4
2
10
20 20 16 DRAG
14CIRCLE G1 G C 3 Piles
Dredged 10 ft 1996
16 R2 R N 4

14 4
16
R12 10
20 Fl R 2.5s 2
14 Hobbs Lt Fl 2s 70ft 15M
SWING CIRCLE Hobbs Pepe Pt
20 Rks τ 4 Fl 6s 54ft 7M
20 6 τ
14 Red 2
16 τ τ 10
8 4 6
16 14 12 τ Pepe 8
14 16 Uncov. Reef 12
14 1m 14
16
R14
16
20 Anchorage16 Plot Fl R 5s
16