A navy can choose to watch only enemy warships and ignore merchant traffic, but that narrower blockade leaves the fleet's supporting economy connected to the sea. A large idle fleet still consumes food, water, pay, clothing, rope, and training resources. Major ports and naval bases are often organized to receive those supplies through the harbor because seaborne delivery is the easiest route. HMAS Supply's movement among Royal Navy bases illustrates how routinely ships carried stores between naval facilities. Cutting that traffic can weaken the enemy fleet even when it never sorties.
Notable Point · 48:38-50:11
A blockaded fleet drains its own naval base
Allowing merchant traffic into a blockaded naval port can preserve the enemy fleet by feeding its sailors and replacing water, rope, clothing, and other stores.