The same sheltered water that enabled seaplane operations could give the base a limited form of passive resilience. If a carrier sank at a carefully chosen anchorage, shallow water might prevent it from disappearing completely beneath the surface. That did not remove the danger of bombing, fire, or explosion, and the benefit depended on the particular bay. Site selection therefore affected both flying conditions and the consequences of damage. Survivability and recovery joined the logistical reasons for treating the ship as a relocatable base.
Notable Point · 47:48-48:21
Sheltered anchorage adds resilience to the mobile base
Operating in a suitable bay could keep a damaged or sunken seaplane carrier's support facilities closer to recovery than a ship lost in deep water.