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SASEBO

ANCHORAGE

In addition to India Basin there are seven fueling piers, numerous mooring buoys with capacities up to 30,000 tons, and anchorages in the bay. There are 90 anchorages and 1 mooring buoys under U.S. control. Depth of water ranges from 39.4-98.4 ft (12-30 m) (See Chart 97400, and Figure V-39 ). Anchorage #39 is a designated explosive anchorage and will normally not be assigned unless conducting ordnance evolutions. According to Port Authorities, Buoy #61 (previously used when handling explosives) was removed but the explosive anchorage area remains and is designated as E-1.

Typhoon anchorages are located in the vicinity of Ebisu Wan where protection is offered by the surrounding hills of Hario Island. Ebisu Wan affords good anchorage, in 33.1 ft (10.1 m) with mud and shells. The nine major typhoon anchorages are listed below:

Note that high sea conditions caused by strong southerly winds can impact Anchorages #39, #40 and GT-1.

The Outer Harbor (Figure V-2) is the principal anchorage for commercial vessels. It affords protected anchorage, in 30.2 to 164 ft (9.2 to 50 m), mud and shells, and good holding ground. The Inner Harbor affords safe anchorage for large vessels. There are depths of 167.3 ft (51 m) at the Harbor Entrance, 75.1 to 177.2 ft (22.9 m to 54 m) in the passage, 32.8 to 121.4 ft (10 to 37 m) in the anchorage, and 36.1 ft (11 m) at the berthing spaces. Apart from the anchorage areas controlled by the U.S. Navy, there is anchorage for four 10,000 grt commercial ships in Section No. 3, in a depth of 33.1 ft (10.1 m). A large number of vessels can be berthed at anchor, and at fixed or free-swinging moorings.

Akuno Ura and Ushino Ura afford anchorage to small vessels.

The quarantine anchorage is situated on the south side of Sasebo Ko, close east of Yorifune Saki. Inbound vessels, subject to quarantine, will remain in the anchorage and are forbidden to disembark passengers or crew or to load or discharge cargo. Vessels will shift to the general anchorage immediately after pratique is granted. Only vessels seeking quarantine shall use this anchorage.

A prohibited anchorage and restricted area, where vessels with a draft of 19.7 ft (6 m) or more may not navigate, lies within a radius of 820.3 ft (250 m) of a dangerous wreck which lies 1.5 nmi east of Yorifune Saki on the south side by a buoy.

There is one mooring buoy with 125,000 lbs holding capacity in the vicinity of India Basin (33 ° 09.25'N 129 ° 42.92'E) that is strong enough to be used by FFG or ARS class ships during the passage of a typhoon. ARS class ships have priority.

Commercial water taxi services are available for ships anchored in Sasebo Ko. Prior arrangements must be made via LOGREQ to contract for commercial water taxi services from FISC Yokosuka DET Sasebo. Commercial water taxis are not authorized to use CFAS Fleet Landing except for USS and USNS ships.

The Fleet Landing ( Figure V-40) is located at the north end of Juliet Basin at United Serviceman Organization Bldg 128.

All ships operating boats in and around CFAS controlled waters require permission from Port Operations (DSN 252-2313/2310).

Boats shall proceed at safe and reasonable speed at all times while in Sasebo Ko, India Basin , Juliet Basin , and when passing ships at anchor or at berths and tows. Boats passing by ships and especially ships displaying the code Alpha flag (indicating divers are down) shall proceed at a speed no greater than that required to maintain steerageway and shall not pass closer than 100 yards (91.4 m) to the area of operations. Safety, good seamanship, and courtesy shall govern speeds elsewhere.

Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/japan/sasebo/text/sect4.htm