K, got a chance to check charts.
The Playpen, like most of the area behind the outer breakwall of 'Chicago Harbor' is shown as anchorage (see note A, LOL), just like Monroe. So we're in the clear.
Google Maps
Now also there's this.
"During the day, vessels under sail also being propelled by machinery, must exhibit forward, where best seen, a conical shape with the apex pointing down (See Figure 9). Vessels less than 12 meters are not required to exhibit the dayshape in inland waters."
FedReq - Pages 22-28 - Equipment Requirements/Navigation Rules
Now that's the 'steaming' dayshape not anchor, but it's possible that "off top of head" even an experienced mariner can conflate that caveat with 7 or 20m.
Just sayin. Yes, yes, yes, we know 'Ripple' is 1.23m over 7, still.
I spend plenty of time reading government regs thru werk. These are not easy texts to read and comprehend ... and it's of course, on purpose.
Technically, most boats anchoring for the Air&Water show here in chi-town this weekend should fly an anchor ball but won't. Whether there's a USCG exemtion for this, even fewer know. In 'open water', Lake Michigan south of Diversey Harbor.
*shrugs*
If West Marine has one and crew comes out of the woodwerk for Sunday, we get it .... just in case. It will have little effect on actually getting rammed or not, but if it puts us in ther clear 'fault' wise it's but a pittance.
If WM is all out and peeps wanna go.......
Will get one eventually 'cause it's good to be prepared for being 'in distress' ... engine failure, dead battery, dead calm.
With a killer view.
Eh, won't be the 1st time.
I remember for one air show, after multiple attempts at getting a good set on the anchor we finally held fast. Killed the engine, dropped the ladder and set the swim line. Took one last 360 scan and saw a floating condo drifting our way, bout 40 yards off. I kept trying to get their attention, waving, whistle, etc. Finally when they got within earshot we find out they're engines had quit. They had NO anchor and a police boat was just now trying to come alongside. So we give up our spot to give em room to maneuver.
*shakes head*
The entire northern lakefront is turned into a 'no wake' zone practically so it does keep most of the carnage down. It IS by far the busiest weekend on the water.