What makes an anchorage?

[sighmoon]

Hi all,

Just looking at the Stanfords chart for SE Ireland to Wales and Lundy. Like any chart, the anchorages are marked, but they don't seem all that sensible to me. For example, it shows an anchorage in Ramsey Sound, where tides can reach 6 knots, and there is 17m of water, but it doesn't show one off Little haven, where there is 3m of water, and no tidal race.

Is there any reasoning about what makes an anchorage according to Stanfords?

 

[Stevie_T]

Not familiar with Stanfords particularly, but you are probably looking at anchorages for large ships.

 

[bilbobaggins]

Certainly, the symbol for an anchorage is shown in Chart 5011 ( The HO decode booklet ) as 'suitable for ships'. That has International Maritime Org approval. HO charts were/are intended for merchant shipping use, while the Leisure Series has symbols more appropriate to the likes of us.

 

[bluedragon]

It's bit confusing isn't it? I use Stanfords charts and sail the Bristol Channel. I used to think the symbol was for big ships, but there's an anchorage shown in Blue Anchor Road near Minehead and off Lynmouth both in about 5m (and I've used them both). Stanfords should just show small ship anchorages as they are leisure charts, but where does this info come from? Like all anchorages they can easily become uncomfortable lee shores. I use these symbols to indicate an area I might choose to anchor in if all other factors are favourable.

PS - actually there is a safe small boat anchorage off Ramsey in spite of the currents, but it may not be the one you're seeing. I've spent the night at anchor off Little Haven in settled weather with a light offshore breeze- idyllic! But with a prevailing westerly blowing...no way! and that's why it's not marked I suppose.

PPS - just checked on my Admiralty RYA Chart Plotter. The small boat anchorages off N.Devon show up there also, and the Ramsey Sound ones...so not just Standfords. I see what you mean about Ramsey. There is a symbol in about 17-20m north of the one I mentioned which is in a back eddy N. of Bitches I think. It doesn't make a lot of sense does it?

 

[trouville]

Its still ment for coasters and other big ships that can comfortably anchor where i cant

 

[bluedragon]

I hadn't thought about coasters...you could be right. The ones I referred to in 5m are definitely not big ship. Then why do leisure charts show these at all I wonder?

 

[sighmoon]

Hi all,

Bluedragon, have you spent the night off Ramsey by the Bitches? I don't think I have the mettle.

There are other anchorages on the chart which seem unsuitable for big ships - for example, I wouldn't have thought that there was the swinging room for a big ship south of Skomer, and just north of Worms head is also a bit shallow . There are also other prime spots, like Watwick Bay, that aren't marked.

Does anybody take any notice of the anchorage marks when picking a spot?

[oops - missed trouville's post. thanks for that]

 

[bluedragon]

"Bluedragon, have you spent the night off Ramsey by the Bitches? I don't think I have the mettle."

No...neither would I, but I'll have to try it for lunch one day just to say I been there! I'm sure some people have though. It does appear in some local pilot guides and is supposedly relatively tranquil believe it or not.

 

[Cornishman]

Can I add a subsidiary question which has long bothered me?

WHO decides what makes a good anchorage?

I'd like to meet him. Oh, alright then, "or her"

 

[Superstrath]

The reason that big ship anchorages should be on leisure charts is so that you know what you might encounter in that bit of water. Big ships, anchored, or perhaps manoeuvring.

 

[Stevie_T]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anybody take any notice of the anchorage marks when picking a spot?

[/ QUOTE ]
Personally.....not really. As Superstrath said they are important to know where ships may anchor, or presumably be manouvering to anchor. Though the symbol may draw my attention to a spot to investigate further I suppose.
Personally I would be more likely to use a pilot book to select an anchorage.

 

[claymore]

I note when there is an anchor symbol on a chart if looking for somewhere to stop. The best ones are those where we've sailed past and noticed a boat tucked in somewhere. These don't normally feature on charts - I assume because charts were originally written for commercial shipping - but there are plenty of snug wee spots around the West Coast. I view it a bit like rock climbing - and doing a new route. I'm sure that at sometime or another every single bay and inlet has been used by someone but never recorded anywhere - so we don't publicise any 'new' discoveries in case they become popular.
Selfish sods!!

 

[damo]

Good holding and shelter is the obvious answer, but it seems that only popular places are marked on charts. There are plenty of great spots if you don't mind looking at the chart and creeping about inshore.

However, if you are French an anchorage is denoted by the fact that someone else is already parked there - it may be the remotest, cutest, most private little place but in no time at all there will be a French flag trying to foul your chain /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif