Anchorage
FREMANTLE
ANCHORAGE
The following anchorages are available for vessels to hold prior to moving to their berth: Vessels with a draft of 36.1 ft (11 m) or greater awaiting a pilot should anchor 2 miles to the west of Fairway/Landfall Buoy. Vessels of less than 36.1 ft (11 m) expecting a pilot on the same day of arrival may anchor in the vicinity of Hall Bank Beacon in Gage Roads. Vessels of less than 36.1 ft (11 m) not expecting a pilot on the same day of arrival should anchor in the western area of Gage Roads. Holding ground for all three locations is fine sand and coral.
Gage Roads affords anchorage to all classes of vessels, but they are not advised to stay at anchor during the passage of a severe storm or tropical cyclone, as this area is very exposed to winds from the west southwest through to the north. Aircraft carriers normally anchor in anchorage "C" in Gage Roads. This anchorage is the closest to town permitted for use by nuclear powered vessels.
Cockburn Sound is the most sheltered of the three anchorage areas (Gage Roads, Owen Anchorage, and Cockburn Sound). Good anchorage is available for low wind profile ships in the Cockburn Sound anchorage area in the lee of Garden Island. Port authorities stated that Garden Island protects vessels from high seas and westerly winds but that this anchorage area is exposed to northwest to north winds. The depth is approximately 62.3 ft (19 m) with a sand and mud bottom which is considered to be good holding ground.
Anchorage may be taken in the center of Owen Anchorage in depths of 46 ft (14 m), but there are several shallow patches.
Two mooring buoys, designated as "A" and "B", are located within the boundaries of the Port of Stirling and are controlled by the Australian Navy. Please refer to the Stirling port study for more information on these buoys and the berths within the Port of Stirling.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/australi/fremantl/text/sect4.htm
