Anchoring and clearance in San Francisco

Anchoring rules on San Francisco Bay, general anchorages, closed and restricted areas, and how to report arrival.

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Rules

Anchoring rules on the Bay

33 CFR 110.224 applies to San Francisco Bay and connecting waters. The text read is the eCFR version of 1 November 2026.

Outside anchoragesAnchoring is prohibited outside designated anchorages except when required for safety or with the written permission of the Captain of the Port. A vessel anchoring outside an anchorage must immediately notify the Captain of the Port of its position and the reason.

ReportsReports to the Captain of the Port go to San Francisco Vessel Traffic Service. The service guards VHF-FM channel 13 (156.65 MHz) and channel 14 (156.70 MHz).

No-anchor areasNo vessel may anchor within a tunnel, cable or pipeline area shown on a Government chart. No vessel may moor or anchor so that it extends into an adjacent channel or fairway.

AnchorsThe Captain of the Port may require a vessel in a designated anchorage to moor with two or more anchors. A vessel that will not have enough crew aboard to weigh anchor at any time must anchor with two anchors and a mooring swivel unless the Captain of the Port authorises otherwise.

Deep draftDeep-draft vessels take precedence in the deeper parts of anchorages. The Captain of the Port may require lighter-draft vessels to move, particularly in Anchorages 7 and 9.

MovingA vessel told by the Captain of the Port to shift its position must do so promptly.

Dead shipNo vessel in dead ship status (propulsion or control unavailable for normal operations) may anchor outside Anchorage 9 without prior approval of the Captain of the Port.

Anchorages

General anchorages in San Francisco Bay

Table 110.224(d)(1) and the boundaries in paragraph (e).

Anchorage	Where	Specific rules
4	West shore of the Bay, from Point San Quentin to Point Chauncey on the Tiburon Peninsula	Radio watch note and no projecting into channels
5, Southampton Shoal	Southampton Shoal, in San Francisco Bay	Radio watch note and no projecting into channels
6	East shore, from Point Isabel along the north shore of Brooks Island to Emeryville, without the channel to Berkeley Marina	Radio watch note
7, Treasure Island	Off Treasure Island	Radio watch note and no projecting into channels. Primarily for vessels waiting to proceed to pier facilities or another anchorage. Stay no more than 12 hours unless authorised. Be ready to move within 1 hour of notice
8	West shore of Alameda Island	Radio watch note and no projecting into channels. Primarily for vessels waiting to proceed to pier facilities or another anchorage
8A	In San Francisco Bay along the northern border of Anchorage 9, south-west of Anchorage 8	Same as Anchorage 7, plus notify the Captain of the Port on anchoring and on departure. San Francisco Vessel Traffic Service activates this temporary anchorage when Anchorages 8 and 9 are at capacity
9	East shore, from the south shore of Alameda Island southward	Radio watch note and no projecting into channels. The only anchorage where a vessel in dead-ship status may anchor without prior approval; it needs an assist tug on standby with a response time of 15 minutes at most

33 CFR 110.224, eCFR text of 1 November 2026. The radio watch note applies to vessels over 300 gross tons in sustained winds over 25 knots, on VHF channels 13 and 14. Anchorage 10 off Sausalito is a naval anchorage. Anchorages 12 to 14 are explosives anchorages.

Restricted

Where anchoring is limited or closed

NOAA Coast Pilot 7, chapter 7, 1 November 2026.

Aquatic Park Cove

Closed to power vessels. Overnight anchoring is by permit only, online at recreation.gov.

Richardson Bay

A special anchorage. Local authorities control anchoring and moorings. Call the Richardson Bay Regional Agency on 415-971-3919. The bay is a no-discharge zone.

China Basin

A no anchorage zone.

Anchorage 9 pipelines

Two submarine pipeline areas cross the Bay within General Anchorage 9. Mariners must not anchor there.

Clearance

Reporting arrival

Customs

CBP reporting

CBP says operators of small pleasure vessels arriving from a foreign port must report their arrival to CBP immediately under 19 CFR 4.2. CBP says the Small Vessel Reporting System is no longer in service.

Report

ROAM app and telephone

CBP says boaters may use the free CBP ROAM app or report by designated telephone numbers. An application to enter the United States must be made in person to a CBP officer at a port of entry when the port is open. Check the rules for your passport.

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