Anchorage
ACAPULCO
ANCHORAGE
Large vessels usually anchor in depths of 85.3 to 108.3 ft (26 to 33 m) east-southeast of Fuerto de San Diego. Fuerto de San Diego is located at 16°51'N 099°55'W. A prominent tank on the hillside 0.8 nmi southwest of Las Dos Piedras light provides a useful leading mark.
The pilots provided other anchoring options during the site visit in August 2002:
- (16°50.73'N 099°54.2'W) Depth: 62.3 ft (19 m). Designated Position "A" and used by smaller vessels.
- (16°50.68'N 099°53.49'W) Depth: 68 ft (20.7 m). (USS Fife (DD 991) position in October 1998). Designated Position "B" and used for frigates and destroyers.
- (16°50.7'N 099°53.1'W) Depth: 95.2 ft (29 m), Designated Position "C" and used by large amphibious ships and aircraft carriers.
Note that the swing circle for some recommended anchorages may fall into shoal water and may have to be adjusted to allow more room. Additionally, the assigned anchorage will depend on traffic in the Port at the time.
The best anchorage for small vessels is located in Bahia de Santa Lucia, off Playa de Manzanillo. Small vessels usually anchor in depths of 59.1 to 65.6 ft (18 to 20 m) about 0.6 nmi south-southwest of Fuerto de San Diego.
The pilot will assign an anchorage upon arrival. Anchorages provide good holding ground with a combination of mud and sandy bottoms. Anchorage is prohibited in the vicinity of the naval facility at Icacos.
For ships at anchor, liberty boats normally take 15 to 25 minutes from the ships to Liberty Pier 1/Floating Dock (Figure III-13) located inside the premises of the Tourist Port. Liberty Pier 2 is located in the old part of town called "The Pier Garden", with restaurants and souvenir stores practically across the avenue from the main square or "Zocalo". Three water taxis are available with a capacity for 100 people in the large water taxi and 40 people in the two smaller water taxis (Figure III-14). A 30 x 14 ft (9.1 x 4.3 m) platform, Figure III-15, is available and highly recommended for crew safety to facilitate embarkation to and from the water taxis. The breasting barge is properly fendered for the ship's protection. It is recommended that the barge be placed on the starboard side.
The quarantine anchorage lies off Punta Grifo, at the entrance to Bahia Santa Lucia. There are no mooring buoys in the harbor.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/mexico/acapulc/text/sect4.htm
