Buoy moorings
Maritime Safety Queensland is responsible for the management and control of buoy moorings in Queensland waters.
Buoy moorings are an accepted means of securing ships, providing a suitable alternative to methods such as anchoring. A buoy mooring is attached to the seabed, and consists of a device to which a system of ropes, cables or chains is attached for the purpose of mooring a vessel. This is attached to a float or buoy on the surface to mark the location of the structure.
Increasing demand has led to a number of areas or localities having reached their capacity for buoy moorings. As a result Maritime Safety Queensland has reviewed its policy and procedures for the management of buoy moorings.
Maritime Safety Queensland gives preference to buoy mooring applications:
- where the nominated ship(s) have fewer alternative methods of storage or where the nominated ship(s) are of a non-trailerable nature and ordinarily not stored on the land
- where a business has demonstrated a legitimate commercial need to utilise the buoy mooring.
Obtaining a buoy mooring authority
All applications for a buoy mooring authority should be made through a Maritime Safety Queensland regional office. Maritime Safety Queensland has a whole-of-state framework for approving buoy moorings. The regional harbour master may create some area-specific conditions. Contact the relevant Maritime Safety Queensland regional office for further information.
The responsibility lies with the applicant to:
- Provide satisfactory written evidence to support their application for a buoy mooring authority.
- Ensure the design criteria for the mooring device and the method of deploying it is suitable for the size and type of the nominated ship and will not impede or adversely affect other moorings.
- Ensure the mooring device is maintained in a safe and serviceable condition at all times.
Application process
Determine the type of buoy mooring authority required:
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Restricted buoy mooring authorities – are issued exclusively for private recreational use by one nominated and approved ship. The buoy mooring cannot be rented, leased or otherwise dealt with by the buoy mooring authority holder for financial gain. The mooring buoy must be yellow in colour.
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Unrestricted buoy mooring authorities – are issued to support the business activities of established marine service providers and legitimate businesses. It is the responsibility of the buoy mooring authority holder to demonstrate to Maritime Safety Queensland that the unrestricted mooring is required and is used solely to support the nominated business activity. The mooring buoy must be fluorescent pink or 'day-glo' pink in colour. Where these colours are unavailable, orange is acceptable as a substitute colour.
Buoy mooring application
- Complete a buoy mooring application form (PDF, 54 KB), available from your local Maritime Safety Queensland regional office.
- Pay the fee:
- restricted mooring A$116.05 (initial assessment fee of A$72.50 plus 12 months occupation at A$43.55)
- unrestricted mooring A$145.00 (initial assessment fee of A$72.50 plus 12 months occupation at A$72.50).
- The following information is required to process a buoy mooring application:
- evidence of applicant's identity and address
- evidence of ship registration or ownership papers (restricted)
- ship information including type and size
- proposed location of the buoy mooring
- port authority and other entity clearances
- cultural heritage clearances (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Search Request Form – Department of Environment and Resource Management)
- identification for the registered business for which the mooring is sought (unrestricted).
The application will then be reviewed and applicants will be advised of approval or non-approval and the conditions of use.
Fact sheets
