Anchorage
CABO SAN LUCAS
ANCHORAGE
The primary anchorages for Navy vessels are located in the Cabo San Lucas Outer Harbor at the following positions: # 1 22°53.2'N 109°53.4'W, # 2 - 22°53.1'N 109°52.9'W, and # 3 - 22°53.3'N 109°52.4'W. Number 2 is the anchorage position normally assigned for USN ships. However, actual anchorages assigned previously to Navy ships varied to some extent from those anchorage locations listed above. Assigned anchorages are well clear of the cruise ships that are normally assigned to anchorage # 1 and clear of the transit areas of local fishing and pleasure craft. Note that Anchorages #2 and #3 are more susceptible to ground swell than Anchorage # 1. Ground swell can particularly impact liberty boat operations and make accommodation ladders difficult to negotiate when weather comes from the south. Small boating is usually discontinued when the swell reaches 2-3 ft (.6-.9 m). Cabo San Lucas anchorages can easily accommodate a CG-size ship and two cruise liners simultaneously.
The bottom in the vicinity of the anchorages is composed of fine sand, gravel, and shell. The holding quality is excellent. The anchorages are exposed to strong winds and seas and are not considered to be safe at winds above 25 kt. However, there have been no reports of ships going aground within the Port of Cabo San Lucas.
Note that all of the anchorage areas assigned to U.S. Navy ships are in relatively close proximity to a slope that drops off rapidly to depths as great as 130 ft (39.6 m). Additionally, the USS Millius (DDG-69) Port Visit Report for February 2001 stated that the charted 50-meter curve on NIMA Chart # 21126 is actually 200 yards (182.9 m) further to the north. With this in mind, the use of minimal sternway when dropping the anchor and veering chain is recommended to facilitate setting the anchor without dragging it to deeper water. The Husbanding Agent usually assists in marking the exact position of the assigned anchorage.
Only small vessels are authorized to anchor in the Inner Harbor.
Liberty boats run to the anchorages from a concrete pier located in the marina (Figure V-6). The pier is new and not shown on NIMA Chart # 21126. The pier does not have camels but bollards are accessible. 55-person water taxis are commonly used. Other smaller water taxis are available. Liberty boat rides take between 10 and 15 minutes depending on the location of the anchorage. Many small boats used for diving, snorkeling, and fishing pick up passengers at a dock adjacent to the New Pier (Figure V-13).
The following websites provide camera views of the beach and anchorage areas:
- http://www.allaboutcabo.com/index.html Cabo Beach Cam
- http://www.allaboutcabo.com/cabocam.htm Cabo Live Resort Cam
There are no mooring buoys available to U.S. Navy or Coast Guard vessels.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/mexico/cabosanl/text/sect4.htm
