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Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73

§70007 Anchorage grounds

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle VII— - Security and Drug Enforcement › Chapter CHAPTER 700— - PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - VESSEL OPERATIONS › § 70007

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary in charge of the Coast Guard must set anchorage areas in U.S. navigable waters. The Secretary must consider navigation safety, protection of the marine environment, nearby undersea pipelines and cables, efficient use of the Marine Transportation System, and national security. Vessels of sizes or types the Secretary sets must use an anchor alarm, follow orders from the Captain of the Port, and obey anchorage rules. Vessels may not anchor in federal navigation channels, within Coast Guard‑set distances of undersea pipelines or cables, or in an anchorage closed by the Captain of the Port for bad weather, hazards, environmental threats, or other safety or security reasons—unless the Captain of the Port allows it. A vessel may still act as needed to keep people, the vessel, or property safe.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §70007

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall define and establish anchorage grounds in the navigable waters of the United States for vessels operating in such waters.
(2)In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take into account all relevant factors concerning navigational safety, protection of the marine environment, proximity to undersea pipelines and cables, safe and efficient use of Marine Transportation System, and national security.
(b)Vessels, of certain sizes or type determined by the Secretary, shall—
(1)set and maintain an anchor alarm for the duration of an anchorage;
(2)comply with any directions or orders issued by the Captain of the Port; and
(3)comply with any applicable anchorage regulations.
(c)A vessel may not—
(1)anchor in any Federal navigation channel unless authorized or directed to by the Captain of the Port;
(2)anchor in near proximity, within distances determined by the Coast Guard, to an undersea pipeline or cable, unless authorized or directed to by the Captain of the Port; and
(3)anchor or remain anchored in an anchorage ground during any period in which the Captain of the Port orders closure of the anchorage ground due to inclement weather, navigational hazard, a threat to the environment, or other safety or security concern.
(d)Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a vessel from taking actions necessary to maintain the safety of the vessel or to prevent the loss of life or property.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Savings Clause Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXIII, § 11318(c), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4091, provided that: “Nothing in this section [enacting this section and provisions set out as a note under this section] shall limit any authority available, as of the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], to the captain of a port with respect to safety measures or any other authority as necessary for the safety of vessels located in anchorage grounds in the navigable waters of the United States.”

Construction

Applicability of

Regulations

Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXIII, § 11318(e), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4091, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] may not be construed to alter any existing rules,

Regulations

, or final agency actions issued under section 70006 of title 46, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], until all

Regulations

required under subsection (b) [136 Stat. 4091] take effect.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 70007

Title 46 — Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73