holding anchorage
holding anchorage
An anchorage where ships may lie: a. if the assembly or working anchorage, or port, to which they have been assigned is full; b. when delayed by enemy threats or other factors from proceeding immediately on their next voyage; c. when dispersed from a port to avoid the effects of a nuclear attack. See also assembly anchorage; emergency anchorage; working anchorage.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.