Install a Boat Swing Mooring in Queensland

Install a Boat Swing Mooring in Queensland

Install a Boat Swing Mooring – Recreational Vessel Mooring Information

Installing a mooring for your vessel? North Marine is Queensland’s boat mooring specialist, providing boat moorings for every application and watercraft.

On this page, we discuss recreational boat swing moorings. If you require another mooring or anchoring solution for your vessel, please visit the parent page Mooring Installation or contact one of our mooring experts.

A Naval Architect approves all mooring designs, and we pride ourselves on quality assurance through our ISO systems.

Mooring Clients:

Our installations cover a range of sectors, including:

  • Private Boat Owners
  • Government
  • Commercial Operators
  • Research & Scientific Institutions

A Meaningful Investment

Selecting the correct mooring for its intended use is critical for the safety of your asset. That’s why, at North Marine, we want to ensure your vessel is safe and secure.

Contact us for your consultation with a Mooring Specialist

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Disclaimer: The information on this page is applicable to recreational Queensland moorings and may change. Please contact a Mooring Specialist at North Marine to discuss your installation, or for up-to-date information, prior to acting on the information given.


 

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Install a Boat Swing Mooring in Queensland

6 steps to install a boat swing mooring

6 Steps To Install Your Boat Swing Mooring in Queensland

This information is for vessel moorings in Queensland waterways. Contact us if you require another type of mooring installation – such as mooring inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

  • STEP 1 – Consultation
    Initial phone or email consultation with a Mooring Specialist at North Marine
  • STEP 2 – Mooring Permit Application
    Apply for the relevant ‘buoy mooring authority’ via Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ). If your permit application is successful, MSQ will assign you with a ‘buoy mooring number’ **
  • STEP 3 – Final Information Provided
    Provide final details on your approved mooring location, along with any additional information on the vessel
  • STEP 4 – Mooring Buoy & Number
    Acquire a mooring-buoy with your personal identification number. All other materials are included in a standard mooring install, with North Marine
  • STEP 5 – Schedule Installation
    Your mooring installation is scheduled and then completed
  • STEP 6 – Annual Maintenance
    Confirm your mooring maintenance schedule to ensure it remains valid and safe for use. Regular inspections are essential to ensure a mooring remains operational.

We are here to assist with any questions about the mooring-permit application process

 

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**Maritime Safety Queensland governs the management of boat moorings in Queensland waterways, with the exception of the Gold Coast, which has its own Authority.

How to Obtain a Mooring Permit

Obtain a mooring permit for small vessel swing moorings

Small Boat Mooring Permit For Queensland Waterways

This information is for private boat moorings. Contact North Marine if you require another type of mooring installation.

Applications for a mooring permit are obtained and submitted via your regional Maritime Safety Queensland office.*

To apply for a mooring permit for Queensland waterways, first, establish the type of mooring required for your vessel and its purpose.

To contact your regional MSQ office, click here.

*Maritime Safety Queensland governs the management of boat moorings in Queensland waterways, with the exception of the Gold Coast, which has its own Authority.

Small Boat Mooring Permit For Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

To apply for a mooring within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, you need to obtain the relevant permission and permits from GBRMPA. We are happy to assist you with this process and liaise with our contacts on your behalf.

Click here for more information on private moorings in the Marine Park.

 

Assisting You with the Permit Application Process

If required, a specialist at North Marine may provide assistance with your mooring application process.

We ensure we are up-to-date with mooring regulations, allowing you peace of mind that our advice is compliant based on the information you give.

 

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How Much Does it Cost to Install a Mooring in Queensland?

What are the cost's involved in a Queensland boat mooring?

Boat moorings are a cost-effective solution for storing your vessel.

The cost of your mooring installation is dependent on the size of your vessel and the design required. We, therefore, cannot give a quote without this information, however should be able to provide one after the initial phone or email consultation.

Boat Mooring Costs May Include:

  • Permit Application Fees (paid directly to the Governing Authority)
  • Mooring Installation – Including time and physical components*
  • Naval Architect Drawings for your mooring (these are often included in the overall quote for your mooring, unless stated otherwise – contact your installer for clarification)
  • Ongoing Permit Renewal Fees (paid annually, directly to the Governing Authority)
  • Ongoing Mooring Inspection and Maintenace – Mandatory to ensure a mooring remains compliant and safe for use

* Unless stated otherwise, a quote given by North Marine includes all time and materials required for your mooring installation. The only exception, is you are required to provide your own surface float, marked with your unique ‘buoy mooring number’ as given in your Mooring Authority.

What Information is Required?

What information will be required for my mooring install?

In your initial consultation, your mooring installer will gather some information to ensure the proposed mooring is fit for your vessel, its intended purpose and the prevailing conditions.

Don’t worry if you don’t know all of the details. In many instances, we already have a good understanding of the area. Your North Marine Specialist will tell you where to find any additional information required.

Vessel Information:

– Vessel size, type and draft
– Evidence of Queensland ship registration ownership (where applicable)

Intended Boat Mooring Location*:
*The exact location will be confirmed after you have an approved mooring permit

– Maximum depth at high tide
– Bottom composition
– Swing room around the area, including proximity to other objects and vessels

The max depth at the highest tide ensures the rope fabricated for your mooring is the correct length.

Where necessary, we may choose to survey the site prior to fabricating your mooring, to ensure it is suitable.

Will I Own My Boat Mooring?

Will I own my boat mooring in Queensland?

In Queensland, an individual or company may hold a ‘Mooring Authority’ – aka a ‘mooring permit’.

This gives them the right to install and use a mooring in a designated location, in line with the rules pertaining to its application. (See more about mooring classifications below).

While an individual or entity may own the components that constitute a mooring, such as an anchor, blocks or lines, they do not ‘own’ the mooring in itself.

Maritime Safety Queensland (or the relevant Authority) effectively leases a section of water to the holder of a Mooring Authority, and they retain power over the site.

Swing Mooring Configurations

Mooring installation options for small vessels & yachts

Depending on the size of your vessel, we offer clump weight mooring solutions that are cost-effective. We also offer environmentally friendly design options.

A Mooring Specialist will walk you through the right size for your boat and application.

Small boat owners can choose from the following clump weights:

  • 5-ton concrete blocks
  • 2-ton concrete blocks

The advantage of these mooring configurations is that if you upgrade vessels in the future, you may add additional blocks to increase the clump weight.

When fabricating mooring lines, North Marine take into account the depth at high tide and the scope of swing, while allowing for variables such as bow height, etc.

All mooring lines fabricated by North Marine have an eye on the end as standard, unless otherwise discussed. With an eye of the rope, you are able to feed your own mooring lines through to add length if necessary.

Contact us to discuss our environmentally friendly, alternative mooring design options.

 

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Classifications of Queensland Boat Moorings

3 classifications of boat moorings in Queensland waterways

This information is for vessel moorings in Queensland waterways. Contact us if you require another type of mooring installation – such as mooring inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

There are 3 classifications of Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) moorings that you may wish to consider. To discuss other types of mooring classification, please contact us.

  • Restricted Mooring;
  • Unrestricted Mooring; and,
  • Category 1 Mooring

Restricted moorings are only permitted to have the vessel that is registered to that particular mooring on it.

Unrestricted moorings are permitted to hold any vessel that is owned by the company or buoy authority holder that is responsible for the mooring. To apply for this type of mooring, you must be able to provide proof that you are operating a current marine business or community-based activity.

A category 1 mooring is allowed to be rented out for use by other vessels. Special agreements must be made with Maritime Safety Queensland for this category.

How to Maintain my Boat Mooring

What is required to maintain a boat mooring?

Ensuring your mooring is well maintained is as important as having one installed.

When you become a Mooring Authority Permit holder, you agree to maintain your boat mooring for the life of your permit.

Most permits require that buoy moorings and apparatus are inspected every year.

You are responsible to ensure that your boat mooring and tackle remain in good condition, in the approved mooring location and are able to secure the vessel intended for use.

Additional mooring inspections should be considered:
  • If your naval architect drawing suggests more frequent intervals
  • After every significant weather event
  • If an unauthorized vessel has been on your boat mooring
  • If you notice signs of wear

Signs of wear that indicate your mooring needs to be inspected include, but are not limited to:

  • Rusted Chain
  • Chaffed Rope
  • Worn Shackles
  • Sun-damaged Rope

What is a Boat Swing Mooring?

What is a boat swing mooring, also known as a single point mooring or buoy mooring?

A boat swing mooring is a fixed structure underwater that any vessel can be secured to.

A swing mooring consists of a weighted object on the bottom of a body of water – traditionally an anchor or mooring block. From here, a combination of chain and rope rise to the surface, often with the aid of riser floats. A marker buoy designates the mooring for use.

Swing moorings may also be referred to as buoy moorings or single point moorings.

Related Pages

Queensland Boat Mooring Installation Specialists

Install a secure and reliable boat swing mooring, with North Marine.

 

Disclaimer: The information on this page is applicable to recreational Queensland boat moorings only and may change. Please contact North Marine directly for up-to-date information, prior to acting on the information given.