What exactly is an outer anchorage?

Question

Question for someone who knows about shipping: What exactly is an outer anchorage? What is its purpose, and where is it usually located?

Answer 1

more likely to be the anchors toward  sea side  instead of dockside there purpose is to keep ship off the dock.

Answer 2

An outer anchorage is an unprotected shoal open to the sea.

Answer 3

outer anchorage is usually outside of the port or marina, but behind a protected breakwater ot jetty. Sometimes there is no breakwater etc.

Answer 4

As mentioned above, an outer anchorage, is just that, an anchorage that is outside of the port.  It is used for different reasons: a ship can sit at the outer anchorage to await a load berth, or a discharge berth, to await further orders from the owner/charterer (like whate to proceed for her next cargo) Tankers will often to tank cleaning at an outer anchorage, bulk carriers can clean holds here.  Hope this helps!