Annual Mooring Inspection
Annual Mooring Inspection Service
Moorings are required by insurance companies and NSW Roads and Maritime to be inspected on an annual basis. As most of the wear occurs at the sea bed the only effective way is to have a mooring contractor lift and inspect your mooring.
The results of our moorings repairs can sometimes only be determined by the condition of the mooring when we locate it. We always consult with the owners after we inspect the mooring and find there is something out of the ordinary which may require additional work.
Get your mooring certified by GP Marine
FAILURE TO COMPLY with RMS RULES MAY RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF YOUR MOORING LICENCE AND/OR YOUR LIABILITY INSURANCE MAY BE NULL AND VOID.
GP Marine will help you by ensuring your mooring is compliant, safe and suitable for your vessel and the local conditions.
The mooring apparatus must be kept in good condition and be serviced every 12 months or more frequently if subject to specific mooring conditions. It is strongly recommended that it be serviced by a professional mooring contractor. Proof of mooring service must be produced on request. Roads and Maritime Services will randomly require documentary proof of mooring service.
ASK ABOUT GP MARINE
If you receive a letter like the one below from RMS we can help.
Prefer not to receive a letter requesting proof of mooring service? Ask us about our annual inspection and maintenance services. We can provide a thorough maintenance and safety inspection of your mooring on Lake Macquarie so that you are compliant with all the relevant RMS mooring rules.
The letter below is simply a sample and the GP Marine logo has been added as a watermark.
Mooring Requirements of RMS
The mooring apparatus (block and chain) must be suitable for the vessel in question and for the mooring area allocated having regard to all possible adverse conditions, including potential flooding in the area. In view of the Mooring Licensee’s responsibility in relation to the mooring and mooring apparatus it is strongly recommended that a professional mooring contractor is consulted to ensure that an appropriate mooring apparatus is provided and that it can withstand possible flood conditions when necessary.
The mooring buoy must be yellow, be of the preferred type and meet the standard and have the issued Mooring Licence Number on it in characters at least 50mm high.
Other important information for mooring licence holders
What is a Private Mooring Licence?
A Private Mooring Licence permits you to moor your vessel on navigable waters. Renewed annually, this licence is not a lease of the seabed and there is no guarantee of tenure. The general position of the site is determined (and may be varied) at the discretion of Roads and Maritime Services. However, it’s the responsibility of your chosen mooring contractor to ensure that the mooring and its location are suitable for your vessel.
Results of Non Compliance
A Private Mooring Licence is subject to special conditions. Non-compliance with these conditions may result in the cancellation of your licence and/or any liability insurance for your vessel becoming null and void.
Private Mooring Licence Conditions
Mooring apparatus
Any costs associated with the purchase, installation and servicing of mooring apparatus are your responsibility. On cancellation, you are required to remove the apparatus from the seabed.
Mooring buoys
Mooring marker buoys must be yellow in colour and clearly displayed at all times. The issued mooring licence number should be written in characters at least 50mm high. Roads and Maritime recommends that you use one of the commercially available buoys supplied by ship chandlers or mooring contractors. A typical mooring bouy is a yellow marker buoy floating in the water with the mooring number shown in black lettering.
Mooring maintenance
Moorings must be adequately maintained, so that they remain able to secure your vessel in the worst conditions.
To ensure your mooring is installed correctly, Roads and Maritime recommends you engage an experienced mooring contractor and use only quality materials. To ensure it remains in good condition, the mooring apparatus must be serviced every 12 months or more frequently if it is subject to specific mooring conditions.
Failure to maintain your mooring apparatus in good condition may result in mooring failure and your vessel going adrift, which can have consequences. Penalties may also apply in this situation.
Proof of mooring service must be produced to Roads and Maritime on request.
This is one of the ways we can help you by providing you with documented proof of your mooring service.
As the mooring licensee, you’re responsible at all times for damage caused by your vessel and/or mooring apparatus to any other vessel or property. It’s strongly recommended that you have adequate insurance to cover such contingencies as Roads and Maritime bears no responsibility.
Failure to service your mooring may result in cancellation of your Private Mooring Licence for breach of a condition of the licence and your liability insurance becoming null and void.
Vacancy
Your vessel must not be absent from its mooring for more than 28 consecutive days, unless Roads and Maritime has been notified in writing and written approval has been provided. While your vessel is absent from the mooring, no other vessel is authorised to occupy the site.
Visual suitability of vessels on moorings
Vessels moored on a private mooring or commercial mooring are subject to a number of conditions. Your vessel must be visually suitable for the bay and be maintained in a seaworthy condition, which means being capable of undertaking a voyage.
The following criteria are used to assess your vessel’s visual suitability for a mooring:
The vessel must be of a style considered by Roads and Maritime to be consistent with the general style of vessels moored in the bay
Vessels constructed of materials other than fibreglass, must be painted in colours appropriate to the general amenity of the bay. Bright or iridescent colours are not acceptable without written approval of Roads and Maritime. Timber vessels may be varnished (or similar) provided that the varnished timbers are kept in good condition. An exception is made for teak, which should be appropriately maintained (e.g. oiled).
Vessels must be kept in good condition including, but not limited to, the following:
The vessel must not show temporary repairs that are visually obvious (patched up) without written approval from Roads and Maritime
The vessel must be kept clean and tidy
The vessel must be kept free of bird droppings, vermin and insects
The vessel must not be used as a repository for refuse, garbage, or ‘junk’
Painted substances must not be peeling, flaking, crazed or otherwise deteriorated
Metal surfaces must be kept free from rust and any other forms of oxidisation
Marine growth on the vessel’s hull must be kept to a standard acceptable to Roads and Maritime.
Your vessel will only be deemed to be in a seaworthy condition if it is capable of undertaking a voyage.
The above conditions will not apply if your vessel is the subject of a formal agreement for repair by a business, provided that the repairs commence within 30 days of the vessel first occupying the mooring.