roadstead

A roadstead is a sheltered area of water near a coast where ships can anchor and ride at anchor without entering a harbor. It provides enough protection from prevailing winds and seas to allow vessels to anchor with suitable scope, but it is not a fully enclosed port with quays and fixed facilities.

Roadsteads differ from harbors in that they lack the protective breakwaters, docks, and services of a harbor. They are used when harbors are full, conditions make entry risky, or ships are waiting to berth, resupply, or coal and provisions are arranged before continuing a voyage. Because roadsteads are open to the sea, they are more exposed to weather and tidal current, so anchoring requires space for swinging and careful attention to ground conditions and predicted conditions.

Characteristics and use: the suitable anchorage ground is typically sand or mud with good holding, and depth must accommodate the anchoring gear and the expected swing of the fleet. Vessels may anchor singly or in groups, taking care to maintain enough room to avoid contact if the wind shifts or the tide changes.

Examples and history: notable roadsteads exist around many coastlines; historically they served fleets waiting for orders, embarkation, or passage through straits with limited harbor options. In the age of sail, roadsteads were essential for naval logistics, provisioning, and rapid mobilization, and even today they remain useful for waiting ships or temporary anchorage near busy ports.