Lesson 13b: Precision Piloting

and Anchoring

07/09/24
 Lesson 13b: Precision Piloting
and Anchoring
• AGENDA:
– Determining a Suitable Anchorage
– Anchoring Terminology
– Plotting a Precision Anchoring
– Swing Circle/Drag Circle
– Post-anchoring Considerations
• Applicable reading: Hobbs pg. 242-251.
 Determining a Suitable
Anchorage
• Sufficient navaids
• Safety from seas and weather
• Bottom characteristics w/o obstructions or
hazards
• Sufficient Depth
• Proximity to boat landings
• Anticipated direction of wind and seas
 Sources of Information

• Chart
• Publications, to include:
– Coast Pilots
– Sailing Directions
– Fleet Guides (ports most frequented by USN ships)
• Word-of-mouth
• Pass down files
 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 (or Drop) Circle - A circle drawn
around the anchorage with a radius equal to
the distance from the hawespipe 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
4
040 2
14 HB
10
20 20 16 G1 G C 3 Piles
Dredged 10 ft 1996
16 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 Rks 4 Fl 6s 54ft 7M
20 
6 
14 Red 2
16   10
16 8 4 6
14 12  Pepe 8
14 16 Reef
Uncov. 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.
 Execution
Approach slowly
• Pass through the anchorage, and then
back down slowly.
• When you reach the letting-go bearing
“Let go the anchor !”
• Immediately shoot a fix.
• If done correctly, anchor is within 50 yds
of center of anchorage
Drag / Swing
Circle

300 yards

130 yds
Drag Circle

Swing Circle
 Plotting a Precision
Anchorage
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
 Plotting a Precision
Anchorage
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
100
LGB 096
200
300
400
TB TR 004 500
30 600
5 700
800
900
1000

1200

1400

0 64
T R
 Plotting a Precision
Anchorage
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.
 Plotting a Precision
Anchorage
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 (scope)
– How much chain to use? (Five to seven
times the water depth)
• 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”
 Homework #7

Ch 14: 1, 3, 6, 10, 11
Ch 15: S1: 5, 8, 10
S2: 2, 6, 7