Anchorage rules for around the Chesapeake

vistastang · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011

I have a question regarding ancorage rules. I just purchased my first boat. It is a 1969 Coronado 25. It is presently and has been anchored for I know at least 2 months maybe much longer in the Magothy river just inside the Chesapeake Bay. What are the "rules" for anchoring a boat? Is there a time limit? It just seems strange to me that you can just leave a boat anchored like that. I looked around on the DNR website and found mooring information but couldn't find anything about anchoring.

LarryandSusanMacDonald · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011

You can't anchor in a marked channel. You can't anchor in a mooring field. Other than that, there are no restrictive rules as there are (or as some communities try to make) in Florida.

vistastang · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011

Thank you for the reply! This is great news. Do you know of a link perhaps that would show marked channels? I feel pretty confident that it is not but better safe then sorry.

JimsCAL · #4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011

Leaving an anchored boat unattended for long periods is dumb. Put it on a mooring or in a slip.

TQA · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimsCAL

Leaving an anchored boat unattended for long periods is dumb. .

Why? Assuming the anchor is well set.

vistastang · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011

I think that one of the advatages of it being anchored where it is is that it is in deeper water not subject to freezing.

PorFin · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by vistastang

Thank you for the reply! This is great news. Do you know of a link perhaps that would show marked channels? I feel pretty confident that it is not but better safe then sorry.

Vista -- consult your charts for the marked channels (you've got hard copy charts aboard, right? If not, you really should get some -- e-gizmos notwithstanding).

You can also take a look at screen viewable nav charts at www.activecaptain.com. You'll need to register (it's free), then zoom in to your area. It'll be a good tool to use in the future, so don't forget your log-in data

DRFerron · #8 (**permalink**) 09-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by vistastang

Do you know of a link perhaps that would show marked channels?

Vistastang,

First, congratulations on your first boat.

I'm going to go out on a limb and think that if you don't know where you can anchor or how to read a chart to find a channel, there are a myriad of other boating safety topics and regulations you might also be unaware of.

You might want to either find an experienced boater to sit down with you for a few hours, check out the thread on Recommended Reading, or (my personal preference for you), sign up for a local boating safety course.

More than just to find the marked channels, you'll also need to know how to read a chart to know where NOT to sail because of your boat's draft, where not to anchor where there are underground cables, obstructions, and a whole host of other stuff.

Good luck and boat safe.

PalmettoSailor · #9 (**permalink**) 09-06-2011

Go read the thread about s/v Distant Star if you want to see what happens to boats who's owners can't afford to moor them or put them in a proper slip. Ice is the least likely thing to damage your boat on the Chesapeake.

Do us all a favor and put it on a mooring or in a slip so it doesnt end up aground and get cut up for scrap at taxpayer expense. If you cant afford to properly secure your boat you cant afford a boat.

Come to think of it, I heard of a sailboat adrift with no navigation lights this weekend. Perhaps that was your new boat.

Edited to ask how you insure that your anchored unattended vessel is properly lighted?

BubbleheadMd · #10 (**permalink**) 09-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by vistastang

I have a question regarding ancorage rules. I just purchased my first boat. It is a 1969 Coronado 25. It is presently and has been anchored for I know at least 2 months maybe much longer in the Magothy river just inside the Chesapeake Bay. What are the "rules" for anchoring a boat? Is there a time limit? It just seems strange to me that you can just leave a boat anchored like that. I looked around on the DNR website and found mooring information but couldn't find anything about anchoring.

Another thing about long-time anchoring, is that you need to burn the anchor light at night. Is it on a solar charger? Is someone charging the battery? If that boat is dark, and gets hit at night, the owner will be at fault.

Mooring laws in Maryland are pretty un-restrictive. Put a mooring in a creek somewhere, and be safer.