# Subtitle 1 – Anchorages

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 1-1 Establishment; regulation.

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-1 (2026)

(a)

  (1) There is hereby created in the Baltimore Harbor, which comprises the Patapsco River and its tributaries, a series of locations to be known as anchorage areas, designated A and C, and 1 to 9 inclusive.

  (2) Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Harbor Engineer shall have the authority to:

    (i) designate such other emergency anchorage locations in the Baltimore Harbor as the needs may require; and

    (ii) maintain and to patrol said locations until the emergency has ceased.

(b)

  (1) Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Harbor Engineer shall adopt rules and regulations for the purpose of regulating the mooring, anchoring, and storing of vessels of all types in Baltimore Harbor.

  (2) All vessels anchoring in the harbor shall:

    (i) anchor so as to keep within 1 of the said anchorages; and

    (ii) be subject to all rules and regulations which the Harbor Engineer may adopt to make this section effective.

  (3) All vessels, when at anchor, between sunset and sunrise, shall comply with Federal regulations governing anchor lights.

(c) The Harbor Engineer is hereby vested with the authority of locating, maintaining, and patrolling these anchorages.

*History: Ord. 09-293*

*History: Ord. 48-477*

*History: Texts Conformed 02/18/21*

## § 1-2 Anchorages described.

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-2 (2026)

The anchorage locations as hereinafter described are laid down on a copy of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart No. 545, which is on file in the office of the Harbor Engineer and is dated September 14, 1948.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

## § 1-3 Anchorage A.

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-3 (2026)

(a) Located in Canton Hollow in the Northwest Branch, Patapsco River, and bounded by lines drawn between points fixed as follows:
From Station 16 (U. S. Pierhead Line), 407 feet south, 37 feet east to Buoy No. 1.
From Station 17 (U. S. Pierhead Line), 139 feet south, 309 feet west to Buoy No. 2.
From Station 18 (U. S. Pierhead Line), 122 feet south, 307 feet west to Buoy No.3.
From Station 18 (U. S. Pierhead Line), 278 feet south, 770 feet west to Buoy No. 4.
From Station 14 (U. S. Pierhead Line), 270 feet south, 310 feet east to Buoy No. 5.

(b) No vessel shall anchor within 300 feet of any pier or bulkhead fronting on this anchorage.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

*History: Ord. 50-1274*

## § 1-4 Anchorage C.

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-4 (2026)

(a) Located east of Maryland Yacht Club and south of Ferry Bar and bounded as follows:

  1. On the north by Ferry Bar Channel Range.

  2. On the west by a line 225 feet from and parallel to pierhead line.

  3. On the south by a line between Buoy S-2 and a point 900 feet 190° true from Ferry Bar Channel front range light.

  4. On the east by a line between Buoy S-2 and a point 250 yards 270° true from Ferry Bar Channel front range light.

(b)

  (1) This anchorage shall be restricted to yachts.

  (2) Vessels must anchor in such a way as not to block entrance to the slips of the nearby yacht clubs.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

## § 1-5 Anchorage No. 1 (Fort McHenry).

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-5 (2026)

(a) This anchorage is in the area bounded by lines drawn through the following points:

  1. 3,300 feet, 164°-30' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  2. 3,500 feet, 170°-30' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  3. White Spar Buoy B — 5,900 feet, 158°-15' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  4. Buoy 17M — 6,800 feet, 152°-15' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

(b)

  (1) This anchorage is to be used only as an overnight anchorage for vessels waiting to go to piers.

  (2) No vessel may remain on this anchorage more than 12 hours without a permit from the Harbor Engineer.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

## § 1-6 Anchorage No. 2 (General Anchorage).

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-6 (2026)

(a) Located between Lazaretto Point and the Municipal Airport, bounded by lines drawn between the following points:

  1. 6,080 feet, 115°-15' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  2. 8,150 feet, 126°-15' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  3. 7,925 feet, 135°-15' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  4. Spar W-S-C — 6,900 feet 134°-30' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  5. Main Channel Marker 18M — 6,900 feet, 146°-45' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  6. Private Channel Marker N2 — 4,800 feet, 149°-15' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  7. 4,650 feet, 123°-45' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

(b)

  (1) This is to be a general anchorage for vessels with a draft of 24 feet and under.

  (2) No vessel shall remain longer than 4 days without obtaining a permit from the Harbor Engineer.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

## § 1-7 Anchorage No. 3 (Riverview, General Anchorage).

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-7 (2026)

(a) Located between Fort McHenry Channel and Municipal Airport, bounded by lines drawn between the following points:

  1. White Spar Buoy A — 11,340 feet, 137°-15' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  2. White Spar Buoy C — 6,900 feet, 134°-30' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  3. Buoy 18M — 6,900 feet, 146°-45' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

  4. Buoy 12M — 11,360 feet, 144°-45' true from Lazaretto Point Light.

(b)

  (1) This anchorage shall be restricted to vessels of over 24 feet draft.

  (2) No vessel shall remain on this anchorage longer than 4 days without obtaining a permit from the Harbor Engineer.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

## § 1-8 Anchorage No. 4 (General Anchorage).

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-8 (2026)

(a) Located between Sollers Point and Municipal Airport, bounded by lines drawn between the following points:

  1. 9,430 feet, 330°-20' true from Fort Carroll Light.

  2. 9,310 feet, 315°-00' true from Fort Carroll Light.

  3. Buoy 8M — 4,475 feet, 308°-45' true from Fort Carroll Light.

  4. 4,610 feet, 339°-30' true from Fort Carroll Light.

(b)

  (1) This is to be a general anchorage for vessels drawing 20 feet and under.

  (2) No vessel shall remain longer than 4 days without obtaining a permit from the Harbor Engineer.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

## § 1-9 Anchorage No. 5 (General Anchorage).

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-9 (2026)

(a) Located between Fort McHenry Channel and Curtis Bay Channel and bounded by lines drawn between the following points:

  1. Buoy 11M — 7,800 feet, 60°-00' true from Brewerton Channel Back Range.

  2. Buoy 9M — 5,650 feet, 44°-15' true from Brewerton Channel Back Range.

  3. Buoy N2 — 5,000 feet, 48°-45' true from Brewerton Channel Back Range.

  4. Bell Buoy 6 — 3,600 feet, 330°-20' true from Brewerton Channel Back Range.

(b)

  (1) This is to be a general anchorage for vessels drawing 20 feet and under.

  (2) No vessel shall remain longer than 4 days without obtaining a permit from the Harbor Engineer.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

## § 1-10 Anchorage No. 6 (Explosives Anchorage).

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-10 (2026)

(a) Located northeast of Fort McHenry Channel and just northwest of Fort Carroll, and bounded by lines drawn between the following points:

  1. 4,610 feet, 339°-30' true from Fort Carroll Light.

  2. Buoy 8M — 4,475 feet, 308°-45' true from Fort Carroll Light.

  3. Buoy 6M — 1,310 feet, 275°-15' true from Fort Carroll Light.

  4. W. Spar Buoy A — 1,000 feet, 346°-30' true from Fort Carroll Light.

(b)

  (1) Vessels are to anchor here only for the loading and unloading of explosives.

  (2) Vessels loading explosives are to leave the port immediately upon the completion of the transfer.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

## § 1-11 Anchorage No. 7 (Quarantine Anchorage).

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-11 (2026)

(a) Located in the area west of Fort McHenry Channel and south of Curtis Bay Channel, and bounded by the western and southern edges respectively of those channels and lines between the following points:

  1. 4,775 feet, 302°-00' true from Fort Carroll Light.

  2. Buoy C1 — 5,450 feet, 297°-15' true from Fort Carroll Light.

  3. W. Spar Buoy A — 2,575 feet, 263°-30' true from Fort Carroll Light.

  4. Buoy 5M — 1,730 feet, 258°-46' true from Fort Carroll Light.

(b)

  (1) This anchorage is to be used only by vessels waiting quarantine inspection.

  (2) Special permits for use of the lower part of the anchorage for explosive loading of vessels exceeding 20 feet in draft may be issued in extraordinary cases.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

## § 1-12 Anchorage No. 8 (Dead Anchorage).

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-12 (2026)

(a) Located in Curtis Bay, south of Curtis Bay Channel, bounded by lines drawn between the following points:

  1. Buoy C7 — 5,650 feet, 296°-30' true from Brewerton Channel Rear Range Light.

  2. Buoy C5 — 2,775 feet, 345°-40' true from Brewerton Channel Rear Range Light.

  3. 90° from these points south to the shore line between Sledds Point and Leading Point.

(b)

  (1) Vessels shall anchor so as not to swing within 100 yards of the channel.

  (2) When the Harbor Engineer finds such action necessary to conserve space, he may require vessels in this anchorage to moor bow and stern or to one another.

  (3) No vessels may occupy this anchorage without obtaining a permit from the Harbor Engineer.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

## § 1-13 Anchorage No. 9 (General Anchorage).

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-13 (2026)

(a) Located north of Ferry Bar Channel and southwest of Fort McHenry Park, bounded by lines drawn between the following points:

  1. 5,300 feet, 251°-30' true from Fort McHenry Channel Light.

  2. Buoy — 5,665 feet, 241°-30' true from Fort McHenry Channel Light.

  3. Buoy S14 — 4,500 feet, 228°-45' true from Fort McHenry Channel Light.

  4. Buoy S10 — 3,165 feet, 201°-50' true from Fort McHenry Channel Light.

  5. Buoy S8 — 2,560 feet, 182°-45' true from Fort McHenry Channel Light.

  6. Buoy S — 1,675 feet, 187°-00' true from Fort McHenry Channel Light.

(b)

  (1) This anchorage is to be used only by vessels using nearby docks, while awaiting berths at piers.

  (2) No vessel may remain in this anchorage more than 12 hours without obtaining a permit from the Harbor Engineer.

*History: Ord. 48-477*

## § 1-14

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-14 (2026)

Reserved

## § 1-15 Obstructing access.

Balt., Md., Code art. 10, § 1-15 (2026)

(a)

  (1) The master or other person in charge of any vessel so anchored as to obstruct the free passage of any other vessel to or from an anchorage, wharf, or dock, or moored or anchored so that they will be or will swing beyond the boundary of said anchorage, shall, upon being notified, immediately correct the condition.

  (2) And if the condition continues beyond 6 hours from the time of notification, a penalty of $25 for each and every hour beyond this time limit, or 30 days in the City Jail, or both, shall, upon conviction, be imposed upon the person responsible therefor.

(b) If no person be on such vessel, upon whom said notice can be served, then the Harbor Engineer shall have such vessel removed and the expense for the same shall be paid to the Harbor Engineer by the master, owner, or agent of such vessel.

*History: Ord. 09-293*

*History: Ord. 48-477*