Moorings

Moorings Management Review and Annual Fees

The ARC through its 2008/09 Annual Plan adopted a proposed increase, but with the proviso that it will be phased in over three years. The 2008/09 fees, identified in the 08/09 Annual Plan reflect the first year increase. This increase, will in effect, be a move towards a single flat charge for mud and swing moorings by 2011/12. 
ARC also adopted the proposal that the schedule of fees be removed from the ARC Navigation Safety Bylaw, and be included in the Annual Plan process.

View a pdf of the new schedule of fees

2008 Moorings Holders Survey

In May we completed our bi-annual survey of moorings holders.  The survey showed an increase in the level of recognition of our management role, and that mooring holder's satisfaction with our work had increased.
 
Main survey results:

  • since 2006 there has been an increase in awareness of the role of the Harbourmaster's Office in regards to the management of moorings;
  • new mooring holders in particular are more likely to associate the Harbourmaster's Office with specific roles and responsibilities regarding moorings management;
  • mooring holder awareness of the regulations relating to their moorings, and their own responsibilities relating to their moorings has increased in many areas since 2006;
  • mooring satisfaction scores (satisfaction with the Harbourmaster's Office Management role) have increased in all areas;
  • there have been improvements in visible 'bad behaviour' on the harbour;
  • fewer mooring holders report seeing other boaties and harbour users behaving badly;
  • more mooring holders in 2008 believe boat identification would solve problems of bad behaviour on the water;
  • 60 per cent of mooring holders were aware of the mooring management fee review.  Of these 40 per cent supported it, 28 per cent were unsure and 31 per cent opposed.

Thank you to all those people who took time to complete the survey.  Your feedback will help us improve our services to you.

Mooring Maintenance

When bad weather is forecast sometimes it is too late for boat owners to check if their vessel will be safe during the storm. We understand that it is often unsafe for the owner to visit the boat or the owner's work commitments means that there will be delays in travelling to the boat mooring site. 

To avoid being put in this situation regular checks on the way the boat is riding and secured on the mooring should be normal practice for boat owners. 

If you, as a mooring owner are unsure about the integrity of your mooring tackle, or want information about when it was last checked, all of the available information is held in the Harbourmaster's Office and a quick phone call to the office will allow you to be up-dated with the latest information.  Apart from hopefully giving you some level of comfort during a storm it will also remind you to book your mooring in for an inspection if it is getting near that three year checking time.

Unfortunately, if the worst happens and a mooring does fail, boat owners do not only have to come to terms with the loss of their vessel, but are further disappointed when the vessel insurance claim is declined because the mooring inspection certificate lies outside of the three-yearly inspection period.

Don't let this happen to you. Have your mooring inspected on a regular basis, it's cheap insurance.

On occasions, Harbourmaster staff has come across, or have been notified by mooring holders who are concerned about boats attached to the buoy rope only.  In some cases, it appears that the mooring holder has either lent the mooring to a friend or sub-leased it to a newcomer.  A correctly moored boat is one that is moored by the main mooring rope and not the buoy rope. The mooring rope needs to be checked for wear and protected from chaffing.

A correctly moored vessel:

  • is secured to a mooring rope (NOT the buoy rope);
  • the mooring rope passes through or over the fairlead;
  • the mooring rope has a rubbing sleeve (heavy duty hose) to prevent rope chaffing and the mooring rope is secured properly to a bollard;
  • has a clearly visible mooring number and buoy.

We are concerned about the number of boats on moorings without Harbourmaster approval. Valuable time is wasted when an issue arises and authorities are unable to identify and/or contact the boat owner. If you have a boat on a mooring within a mooring management area ask yourself two questions:

  • "Has the Harbourmaster's Office approved?"

and

  • "Does the Harbourmaster's Office hold my vessel details?"

We have a website where mooring holders can list their mooring for sale/rent.  Listing your mooring on this site will ensure that potential buyers/renters have all the information as listings are checked by the Harbourmaster's Office before being loaded onto the website. 

If you would like to use this free service an application form needs to be completed and sent to the Harbourmaster's Office (as per the details on the form).

Download a pdf copy of the form

We will be conducting an audit in the next month on moorings with outstanding mooring annual fees and/or outside the three yearly inspection programme. Mooring permit holders will be advised in writing and if fees are not paid or the mooring not booked in for an inspection, then the risk is the mooring permit will be cancelled. Monthly checks will follow thereafter.

Things to remember

  • whether your mooring is presently vacant or in use, it must be serviced every three years in the interests of navigation safety.  This is a requirement of your mooring permit conditions;
  • check your mooring inspection certificate thoroughly.  Although you may have it serviced every three years, some items will not last three years and this will be identified;
  • if a new vessel is to occupy your mooring, check vessel suitability with the Harbourmaster's Office and that the boat owner is aware of your mooring setup;
  • advise the Harbourmaster's Office if you have a temporary user on your mooring as it is sensible to have contact details should we need to contact the vessel owner;
  • check your mooring regularly during winter;
  • make sure your vessel is correctly moored;
  • your mooring permit is only valid for one year and is automatically renewed only upon payment of your mooring annual fees;
  • remember, ultimately you are responsible for your mooring; adhere to the conditions within your mooring permit.

If you need advice contact the Harbourmaster's Office on 09 362 0397 or moorings@arc.govt.nz 

Staff can provide you with all the necessary information you require when purchasing, selling or sub-leasing a mooring.

More information can be found at the ARC's website http://www.arc.govt.nz/ (search moorings).