TO MOOR OR NOT TO MOOR

As North Arm Cove residents come to terms with MidCoast Council’s decision not only to reject the proposed boat ramp at Medina Bay but also to rule out a public boat ramp being constructed anywhere else in the village area, those keen to get on the water need to consider other options,

One involves investigating the practicality of mooring a small runabout in the Cove waterway. The viability of mooring a boat has been enhanced by the recent completion of official dinghy launch ramps at Casuarina Park and Water Street. Some residents also keep and launch dinghies at Medina Bay.

Unfortunately, mooring a boat has several drawbacks. One is the need to comply with the bureaucratic requirements of Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) while the other, even more painful, problem is the cost involved in mooring a boat. These are issues boaties who own fixed keel yachts have no choice but to deal with.

So, what, precisely, are the costs you are likely to incur and what rules and regulations apply to mooring your boat.

The costs include the following:

An establishment fee of $123 when lodging your mooring application.
An annual fee. Since North Arm Cove is a low rate area this is currently $217for vessels under 7 metres. Pensioners get a 50 per cent discount.

The cost of buying and installing the actual mooring apparatus, which varies depending on the size of your boat and mooring company used.

Insurance – at least for third party property damage, which is likely to cost around $150 or so annually. This is not compulsory but highly recommended.

A fee of $123 if you decide you want to relocate your mooring, change your boat or transfer the mooring (when permitted) to someone else.

Additional maintenance costs when a boat is moored, in particular anti-fouling, which costs around $1000 for a small boat or about half that (or less) if you do the job yourself on a registered slipway. For a fibreglass boat in the cove you will probably need to do this at least every 18 months or so.

RMS also requires that a boat owner gets the mooring serviced every 12 months. The cost can vary but is unlikely to be less than $200, but more if particular repairs are required.

As for the rules, the main one is the requirement that, unless agreed to by the RMS, a moored vessel has to be at least 5.2 metres in length. Given North Arm Cove’s needs this is a rule that should be relaxed. Another rule stipulates that your boat cannot be absent from the mooring for more than 28 consecutive days.

It is also important to note that a mooring licence permits you to moor your boat at a designated spot but does not provide guarantee of tenure. As well the licence cannot be sublet or traded although, in certain circumstances, it can be transferred. For more information go to:

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/moorings/private-moorings.html