Harbor Protection

• The harbor is well protected from waves but offers little protection from winds. The anchorage areas are fully exposed to winds but have some protection from waves due to fetch limitations except from the southwest sector.

• Wind and Weather:
  • Severe wind and weather of the winter season approach from the western sector. Approaches from the southwest and west are from the open ocean and bring the most severe winter conditions. The anchorages and harbor provide little protection from the frontal related wind and weather of winter. Gale force winds and precipitation occur frequently throughout the winter period. Large sail area ships may need tug assistance to be held against Pier 1.

  • The primary hazard during summer is the strong winds associated with Levante events. Hot, dry, gusty southeasterly winds of gale force can be expected a couple of times each summer. Short periods of fog and low stratus may be experienced for a day or two following strong Levantes.

• Waves:
  • The harbor is protected from open ocean winter time waves by breakwaters. The anchorages are, however, fully exposed to open ocean waves from the southwest and west. Wave heights of 12 ft can be expected during periods of strong southwesterly winds. The sector from northwest clockwise through south-southeast have limited fetch lengths.

  • Small boat operations are typically canceled during moderate to strong westerly wind events. Vessels with large sail areas may need tug assistance to maintain safe berthing at Pier 1 when the wind will be moving the vessels off the pier.

  • The strongest summer Levante southeasterly winds will build waves of 4 to 6 ft in the anchorage area. Wave heights of 3 to 4 ft are typical during Levantes. The fetch length to the southeast is limited to about 6 nmi. Small boat operations outside the harbor will likely be curtailed during moderate to strong Levantes. Large sail area ships may be pinned to Pier 1 during strong southeasterly winds.