An anchorage is a location at sea where ships can lower
anchor
An anchor is a device, normally made of metal , used to secure a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ''ancora'', which itself comes from the Greek � ...
s.
Anchorages are where anchors are lowered and utilised, whereas
moorings usually are tethering to buoys or something similar. The locations usually have conditions for safe anchorage in protection from weather conditions, and other hazards.
The purpose of resting a ship at sea securely can be for waiting to enter
port
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as H ...
s, as well as taking on cargo or passengers where insufficient port facilities exist.
Some coastlines without port facilities have extensive anchorage locations.
In the days of large-scale sailing ship operations, a ship could wait at an anchorage for the wind to change, allowing it to continue its journey.
The mooring of large ships in locations with adequate conditions for secure berthing is an engineering task requiring considerable technical skill.
History
See also
*
Roadstead
A roadstead (or ''roads'' – the earlier form) is a body of water sheltered from rip currents, spring tides, or ocean swell where ships can lie reasonably safely at anchor without dragging or snatching.United States Army technical manual, TM 5 ...
*
Sea anchor
Notes
External links
{{Ports and harbors
Water transport infrastructure