Anchorages

Question 1

⟡What actions to take while anchored?

Answer 1

1. Maintain a 24-hour bridge watch by an English speaking licensed deck officer monitoring VHF-FM Channel 16.
2. Make frequent checks to assure vessel is not dragging anchor.
3. When winds exceed 40 knots, put the propulsion plant on standby ready to bring on line on short notice and make another anchor ready to let go. Accurate wind speed can be determined by contacting either VTS or the appropriate pilot station.
4. Provide 15-minute advance notice to the Long Beach pilot station (for inside anchorages) or to VTS (for outside anchorages) before heaving anchor to get underway.

Question 2

⟡Anchorage Alpha: What is the length of time allowed to stay in this anchorage? Is bunkering allowed in the anchorage?

Answer 2

No vessel may anchor anywhere within Los Angeles or Long Beach harbors for more than 10 consecutive days unless unless an extended anchorage permit is obtained from the Captain of the Port. Bunkering is allowed in the Alpha Anchorage.

At the end of 2014, the Coast Guard amended the anchorage regulations found in 33 CFR Part 110.214. These amendments include disestablishing Commercial Anchorage “A” and revising the permission and notification requirements for six other deep draft anchorages.

Question 3

⟡Anchoring Standards of Care.
Sierra Foxtrot anchorage. 
Which anchorages can use which areas? 
What anchorages G-1(?) and F-1(?) are held for. 
How anchorages are assigned. 
Size limitations for certain anchorages.

Answer 3

・1. Maintain a 24-hour bridge watch by an English speaking licensed deck officer monitoring VHF-FM Channel 16.
2. Make frequent checks to assure vessel is not dragging anchor.
3. When winds exceed 40 knots, put the propulsion plant on standby ready to bring on line on short notice and make another anchor ready to let go. Accurate wind speed can be determined by contacting either VTS or the appropriate pilot station.
4. Provide 15-minute advance notice to the Long Beach pilot station (for inside anchorages) or to VTS (for outside anchorages) before heaving anchor to get underway.
~~~Laden tankers and all vessels with a draft of 15.2m (50 feet) or greater anchoring within the federal breakwater will use at least one tug to ensure proper placement of the anchor and chain, as well as to assist in turning the vessel at the anchorage site. All other commercial vessels will use tug assistance as determined by the master and pilot.
・Sierra Foxtrot anchorages are designated for deep draft vessels and vessels engaged in hull cleaning operations; Deep draft vessels 15.2 meters (50 feet) or greater that do not require a Sierra Foxtrot anchorage due to their draft will be assigned to anchorages F-11 through F-16. Anchorage assignments will be assigned from South to North dependent on the vessels’ draft and anchorage availability.
・B, C, D, E, F, G - Commercial Vessels. D-Naval vessels (Navy retains priority for eastern half of Anchorage D). N, P, Q - Recreational Vessels. Explosives Anchorage - Vessels with Explosive cargos - Upon activation, no other vessels are permitted within parts of Anchorages C, D, F, and Q.
・Golf-1 and Foxtrot-1 anchorages are established as “bail out” anchorages and only used for emergency purposes (including tankers and vessels 200 meters length overall or greater, dependent on vessels’ draft).
・The pilot stations for the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles will assign the use of commercial anchorages within their jurisdictions (Long Beach and Los Angeles Harbors respectively). All anchorages outside (seaward) of the federal breakwater will be assigned by the San Pedro VTS.
・VTS will not assign an anchorage in the first row of sites closest to the breakwater (G–1 through G-3 and F–1 to F–4) to tankers or vessels exceeding 200m length overall. VTS will not assign anchorage G-6 to vessels 300 meters length overall or greater.

Question 4

⟡4 things for a master at anchor to monitor.

Answer 4

1. Keep a 24–hour bridge watch by an English-speaking licensed deck officer monitoring VHF–FM Channel 13 and 16.
2. When winds are forecasted and/or observed at 35 knots or greater in the AOR (including wind gusts) vessels shall ensure their propulsion plant is placed in immediate standby and a 2nd anchor, if installed, is made ready to let go.
3. Determine accurate wind speed by contacting either the VTS, the Los Angeles Pilot Station or the Long Beach Pilot Station. When winds exceed 40 knots, put your propulsion plant on standby ready to bring on line on short notice and make another anchor ready to let go.
4. Provide 15–minute advance notice to the respective pilot station (inside anchorages) or to VTS (outside anchorages) before heaving anchor to get underway.

Question 5

Anchorage B

Answer 5

・Assigned by Long Beach Port Pilots, Channel 74 VHF-FM.
・Commercial.
・Permit required for 10+ day stay. Exception: Anchorages 7, 9, 11 have 2-day stay limit.
・Bunkering and lightering are permitted.

Question 6

Anchorage C

Answer 6

・Assigned by Long Beach Port Pilots, Channel 74 VHF-FM.
・Commercial.
・Permit required for 10+ day stay.
・Bunkering and lightering are permitted (bunkering with COTP’s permission).
・When the explosives anchorage is activated portions of this anchorage lie within the explosives anchorage and the requirements of USCP 7, Ch. 2, ¶ 1003 – 1014 apply.

Question 7

Anchorage D

Answer 7

・Assigned by Long Beach Port Pilots, Channel 74 VHF-FM.
・Commercial & Naval.
・Permit required for 10+ day stay. Exception: Anchorages 5, 6, 7 have 2-day stay limit.
・Bunkering and lightering are permitted.
・West of 118°09’48”W priority for use of the anchorage will be given to commercial vessels over 244 meters (approximately 800 feet). East of 118°09’48”W priority for use of the anchorage will be given to Naval and Public vessels, vessels under Department of Defense charter, and vessels requiring use of the explosives anchorage.
・When the explosives anchorage is activated portions of this anchorage lie within the explosives anchorage and the requirements of USCP 7, Ch. 2, ¶ 1003 – 1014 apply.

Question 8

Anchorage E

Answer 8

・Assigned by Long Beach Port Pilots, Channel 74 VHF-FM.
・Commercial.
・Bunkering and lightering are prohibited.
・LALB HSP indicates that vessels may bunker in Anchorage “E” with COTP permission.
・Permit Required for 10 + day stay.

Question 9

Anchorage F

Answer 9

・Assigned by VTS, Channel 14 VHF-FM.
・Commercial.
・Bunkering and lightering are prohibitted.
・Outside Anchorage; no tank vessels or other vessels over 600 feet (200m) LOA in F-1 to F-4.
・When the explosives anchorage is activated portions of this anchorage lie within the explosives anchorage and the requirements of USCP 7, Ch. 2, ¶ 1003 – 1014 apply.

Question 10

Anchorage G

Answer 10

・Assigned by VTS, Channel 14 VHF-FM.
・Commercial.
・Bunkering and lightering are prohibited.
・Outside Anchorage; no tank vessels or other vessels over 600 feet (200m) LOA in G-1 to G-3.
・This anchorage is within a Regulated Navigation Area and additional requirements apply as set forth in 33 CFR 165.1109(e).

Question 11

Anchorage N

Answer 11

・City of Los Angeles regulated.
・The Los Angeles Port Police control this anchorage. Anchoring, mooring and recreational boating activities conforming to applicable City of Los Angeles ordinances and regulations are allowed in this anchorage.
・Small craft.

Question 12

Anchorage P

Answer 12

・City of Long Beach regulated.
・The Long Beach Harbor Master controls this anchorage. Anchoring, mooring and recreational boating activities conforming to applicable City of Long Beach ordinances and regulations are allowed in this anchorage.
・Small craft.

Question 13

Anchorage Q

Answer 13

・City of Long Beach regulated.
・The Long Beach Harbor Master controls this anchorage. Anchoring, mooring and recreational boating activities conforming to applicable City of Long Beach ordinances and regulations are allowed in this anchorage.
・Small craft.
・When the explosives anchorage is activated portions of this anchorage lie within the explosives anchorage and the requirements of USCP 7, Ch. 2, ¶ 1003 – 1014 apply.

Question 14

Anchorage Time Limits

Answer 14

・No vessel may anchor anywhere within Los Angeles or Long Beach harbors for more than 10 consecutive days unless an extended anchorage permit is obtained from the Captain of the Port.
・2-Day time limit at: B-7, B-9, B-11, D-5, D-6, D-7.
・No commercial vessel greater than 1600 gross tons may anchor in Los Angeles-Long Beach Harbor unless it maintains the capability to get underway within 30 minutes.

Question 15

Between Commercial Anchorage G and the Middle Breakwater

Answer 15

Power driven vessels of 1,600 or more gross tons, towing vessels of 8 meters (approximately 26 feet) or over in length engaged in towing, or vessels of 100 gross tons and upward carrying one or more passengers for hire may not enter the waters between Commercial Anchorage G and the Middle Breakwater unless such vessel is:

(i) In an emergency;
(ii) Proceeding to anchor in or departing Commercial Anchorage G;
(iii) Standing by with confirmed pilot boarding arrangements; or,
(iv) Engaged in towing vessels to or from Commercial Anchorage G, or to or from the waters between Commercial Anchorage G and the Middle Breakwater.

Question 16

Special anchorage areas B-1, C-1, and E-1

Answer 16

Special anchorage areas B-1, C-1, and E-1 are reserved for barges on mooring balls, unless otherwise authorized by the Captain of the Port Los Angeles-Long Beach.

Question 17

General Anchoring Guidelines OUTSIDE the federal breakwater

Answer 17

1. All anchorages outside the federal breakwater will be managed and monitored by the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS).
2. Any vessel desiring to use one of these anchorages must advise their intentions to VTS on VHF-FM Channel 14 and receive clearance to do so from VTS.
3. VTS will not assign an anchorage to tankers or vessels exceeding 200 meters length overall (LOA) in the first row of anchorage sites closest to the breakwater (G-1 to G3 and F-1 to F-4).
4. VTS will not provide shoreside radar direction during anchoring; however, ranges and bearings from either the Angel’s Gate or Queen’s Gate Light to the center of a particular anchorage site will be offered, if requested.
5. Pilot or tug assistance outside the federal breakwater is not required for anchoring.

Question 18

General Anchoring Guidelines INSIDE the federal breakwater

Answer 18

1. All anchorages inside the federal breakwater will be managed and monitored by the Long Beach pilot station.
2. All vessels with a draft of 15.2 meters or greater must use a minimum of one tug to ensure proper placement of the anchor and chain, as well as to assist in turning the vessel at the anchorage site. Tank vessel masters shall refer to the tug escort/assist standards.

Question 19

Which anchorage areas in the harbor are designated special anchorages under 33 USC §§2030(g) and 2035(j)?

(Vessels less than 20 meters in length are not required to sound signals required by Rule 35 of the Inland Navigation Rules and are not required to display the anchor lights and shapes required by Rule30 of the Inland Navigation Rules.)

Answer 19

Area A—2 Consisting of two parts in the outer basin of Fish Harbor on the east and west sides of Fish Harbor Entrance Channel.

USCP 7, Ch. 2, ¶ 662 & 766

Question 20

If any commercial vessel greater than 1600 GT is anchored in a commercial anchorage in LALB Harbor and cannot meet the requirements to get underway (wi 30 minutes at all times, immediately when sustained wind speeds are over 40 knots), what action must be taken?

Answer 20

Must immediately notify the COTP and arrange an adequate number of standby tugs with availability as appropriate (i.e. within 30 minutes at all times and immediately standing by if sustained wind speeds exceed 40 knots)

USCP 7, Ch. 2, ¶ 929 & 933

Question 21

When may a vessel anchor outside of designated anchorage areas in the LALB Harbor or Precautionary Area?

Answer 21

Only with the approval of the COTP or in an emergency.

USCP 7, Ch. 2, ¶ 934

Question 22

In the event a vessel anchors for emergency reasons in the LALB Harbor or Precautionary Area outside of a designated anchorage area, what procedures must the master, pilot or person in charge of the vessel follow?

Answer 22

1) Position the vessel so as to minimize the danger to other vessels and facilities,
2) Immediately notify the COTP of the vessel’s position and the reason(s) for the emergency anchoring, and
3) Move the vessel as soon as the emergency condition abates.

USCP 7, Ch. 2, ¶ 935 – 937

Question 23

What are the specific regulations applicable to the LB Harbor Explosives Anchorage?

Answer 23

• Priority for use goes to vessels carrying, loading, or unloading explosives or hazardous cargo or dangerous cargo,
• 24-hour advance notification to the COTP,
• Cannot carry more than 680 metric tons of explosives,
• Bunkering and lightering are permitted, but not while loading or unloading explosives,
• Red flag by day and night (illuminated by spotlight) if vessel is carrying explosives,
• No other vessel may anchor wi the explosive anchorage when a vessel is anchored displaying a red flag.

USCP 7, Ch. 2, ¶ 1008 – 1013

Question 24

What restrictions affect assignment of the first row of anchorages outside the federal BW? (G1 to G4 and F1 to F4)

Answer 24

The VTS will not assign these anchorages to tankers or to vessels exceeding 200 m in length overall.

LALB HSP (IV) B

Question 25

When are vessels are required to use tug assist when anchoring?

Answer 25

Laden tankers and all vessels with a draft of 15.2 m (50 ft) or more anchoring within the federal BW will use at least one tug to ensure proper placement of the anchor and chain, as well as to assist in turning the vessel at the anchorage site.

All other vessels use tug assist at the discretion of the master and pilot.

LALB HSP (IV) C