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Precision Anchoring, Continued
Selecting an
Anchorage
Even when an anchorage has been specified by higher authority, the
commanding officer is ultimately responsible for the safety of the ship.
The commanding officer has the choice of refusing to anchor at the
location assigned if he or she judges it to be unsafe. In these
circumstances, the commanding officer should request an alternate
location less exposed to hazards.
Many of the coastal charts of the United States and its possessions
drawn up by the National Ocean Survey contain colored anchorage
circles and anchor symbols of various sizes for different types of ships.
The circles are located on the chart in those areas best suited for
anchoring, taking into account the factors listed above. These circles
and symbols are lettered and numbered, allowing a particular berth to be
specified. Foreign charts often have anchorage areas specified as well.
Amplifying information on possible anchorage sites can be obtained
from the applicable volume of the Coast Pilots, for U.S. waters; from
the proper volume of the En-Route Sailing Directions, for foreign
waters; and from the Fleet Guide, for ports in foreign or domestic
waters frequented by U.S. Navy ships.
When it is desired to anchor at a location other than that shown as an
anchorage berth on a chart, the anchorage is normally specified by
giving the range and bearing to it from a charted reference point, along
with the radius of the berth.
12-14
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