Looking for reliable information about mooring requirements in Northland? Get the answers you need from a trusted local provider. Our FAQ section covers everything from mooring installation, servicing and inspections to license information and legal compliance. If you cannot find your answer here, talk to the team.
Swing moorings are regulated by the Northland Regional Council (NRC). They are the regulatory authority, and the rules are implemented by the Harbour Masters office. You can read about the rules by obtaining a copy of the NRC’s Navigation Safety Bylaws. The information is easy to read and is published in booklet form or on the NRC’s website.
There are many important things to know about moorings, but the two most important are to ensure the mooring being used is suitable for your vessel and that it’s in service (has a currently Certificate of Inspection). Secondly, to ensure the mooring Licence Length, exceeds your vessel LOA (length overall). You should read and understand the NRC’s navigation and safety bylaws.
It is a condition of your mooring licence. Without a minimum three yearly Certificate of Inspection the NRC will first, fine the mooring owner for non-compliance and eventually cancel your mooring licence.
The cost to own a mooring is made up of several components: the annual mooring license fee (paid to the NRC), and tri-annual mooring inspection and service fee. The level of the inspection and service fee depends on the amount of work that might be required on your mooring. Moorings Northland has a valuable database of moorings it has serviced and has recorded chain and block measurements. This, along with our experience, enables us to give reasonable expectations around future servicing costs.
The NRC requires you to have the mooring serviced at least once every three years. It is advisable to check with your insurer about their servicing expectations as we are aware that some require more frequent servicing and this a growing trend. In some areas where wear is accelerated it is advisable to have two yearly inspections and services. Ask Moorings Northland if your area is a high wearing area (for example: Russell, Mill Bay, Pacific Bay and others).
Moorings Northland is a Council approved contractor and can satisfy all your servicing requirements. We have experience, the right equipment and use approved and certified products during the mooring maintenance process. Moorings Northland has been servicing moorings in Northland for 30+ years.
Individuals can carry out the maintenance work, but they must be able to prove that all inspection protocols and appropriate servicing methods have been followed. This means the mooring is removed from the water. You must then arrange for an approved NRC maritime officer to visit the mooring and inspect the works carried out.
As part of this they may require you to furnish certificates of authenticity and/or origin for all components used on the mooring (shop invoices are insufficient). Then you must demonstrate that the mooring can be reliably re-deployed on the given GPS marks. All this must be done prior to the Maritime Officer issuing a certificate of inspection.
Yes, you can sell your mooring. Contact Moorings Northland and if you are an existing customer we will list your mooring for sale on our website Listings page. As part of the transfer process, you need to contact the NRC and ask for a Mooring Transfer Form. The NRC charges a mooring transfer fee, and this payment should accompany the transfer documentation. The transfer takes a couple of weeks. In a very few cases the conditions of your consent may prevent your mooring from being sold. More about buying, selling or renting a mooring here.
Yes, you can. Contact Moorings Northland and if you are an existing customer we will list your mooring for sale on our website listings page for free. However, you must notify the NRC if the vessel using the mooring changes. Read more here.
Maybe. The first step is to contact the NRC and discuss the relocation requirement. If you are moving within your existing mooring field the process is likely to be simple (if there is space). The NRC will likely tell you to contact Moorings Northland and provide you with an incomplete Harbour Master Application form. We can complete this form on your behalf, carry out any necessary swing analysis and submit the application. If the relocation involves moving between two different mooring fields a resource consent could be required in addition to the Harbour Master Application.
Contact the NRC to discuss relocation options (see above FAQ). Sometimes the mooring rode can be shortened and therefore improve the swing freedom. Other times the most practical solution is a minor relocation. Note, mooring fields are very tight, and it is very common for the swing radius of mooring to overlap with other(s). Using our technology, we can also carry out some space planning and show you the swing overlaps and give advice on how to approach the issue.
Call Moorings Northland on 09 402 6939. We can give informal advice regarding the likely price and value range of moorings in your location. With our experience and market coverage we have a good understanding of the market dynamics at play.
That depends. Contact Moorings Northland to discuss.
The mooring license length is a notified number on your mooring license. It is important because it indicates / denotes the maximum length of vessel permitted on the mooring, even if the design is suitable. If, in the unlikely event that a vessel came adrift and separated from the mooring, insurers will investigate whether the vessel was appropriate for the mooring. If a vessel LOA (length overall) exceeds the mooring license length, then it is likely that the insurer will claim that it should not have been on the mooring and cover will be invalidated.
The NRC has three main mooring design categories. These are primarily based mooring block size and vessel length (LOA) with a secondary reference to vessel displacement. We provide detailed design standards elsewhere on this website but briefly summarised these categories are:
Larger moorings are possible and require customised design considerations.
Contact Moorings Northland – and we would be happy to help with individual design requirements.
No, not always. There are designated mooring zones and other controls governing location of moorings and rights to deploy new moorings. The process around applying and deploying new moorings is becoming more and more complicated.
New moorings require Harbour Master approval and then mostly likely a resource consent. Consultation with Iwi making claims under the Marine and Coastal Area (2011) Act is part of the resource consent process.
In the first instance, call Moorings Northland or the NRC. It is easier to apply for moorings in designated permitted mooring areas. These are areas that have been set aside in the NRC’s Regional Plan for moorings. Providing there is sufficient room the process is fairly straight forward providing the appropriate application and information is filed with the Council.
Installing moorings in areas outside permitted mooring fields or areas with limitations is significantly harder and under the current rules are challenging. However, there are circumstances where it will be possible, and this is best discussed with us so that we can hone in on specifics. If you are in this category, call us to discuss further.
Vessels engaged in commercial activities have different rights and moorings are easier to approve.
Mooring installation costs can vary significantly depending on the mooring size, location, depth, buoy type, headrope set-up and application costs. We advise you to call us for a specific appraisal of your requirements so that an accurate cost can be given.
Sadly, yes. The NRC are proactively managing mooring owner compliance with Navigation Safety Bylaws. Mooring owner’s failure to service their mooring will, after a period of time, incur a fine from the NRC and if the service obligation remains ignored the NRC will commence a process to cancel the mooring license. Depending on your mooring location the mooring is a valuable asset.
1) Lift and Inspect
Travel to and from your mooring, lift, inspect, photograph and re-deploy your mooring. A typical Lift and Inspection takes about 30 minutes. We inspect all elements of the mooring and measure and check componentry against Northland Regional Council (NRC) minimum standards, avoiding subjectivity, unnecessary work and costs.
2) Service
If our initial inspection identifies mooring components are damaged or worn below NRC specified minimum safe thresholds, then the NRC requires these to be replaced to achieve mooring certification. Labour is charged on a pro-rata hourly basis – a typical service period is approximately 30 minutes. Barge and material costs are applied at competitive rates.
3) Certification and reporting
A $65.00 (plus GST) fee applies for onshore services including Certification, photos and your detailed, personalised service report.
From time-to-time moorings need to be shifted to accommodate change, or, to improve otherwise dangerous swing room overlaps. Moorings cannot be moved without the Harbour Master’s approval, who will require a formal application prior to considering any relocations.
Using our mapping software, we carry out a site analysis and carefully assess the degree of swing overlaps. Our technology means we can map each mooring location and swing radii in your area. We will provide you with maps and options for solutions, including the preparation and submission of applications to the Harbour Master.
Prices to relocate a mooring vary depending on the mooring location, timing and distance of the relocation.
If your mooring is subject to a resource consent it will have an expiry date. The NRC will contact you as the expiry date nears – usually six months in advance – at which point you will need to begin the process to renew it.
We can renew your consent on your behalf. The process essentially follows the consent process outlined above for a new mooring, but without the need for a Harbour Master Application but still with the need to consult with Iwi identifying themselves as affected under the Marine and Coastal Area Act 2011.
There are charges imposed by the NRC to renew resource consents.
We provide Pre-Purchase Due Diligence reports so that you know what you are buying. Our reports will tell you:
In nearly all cases we will be able to tell you if your new mooring purchase will have significant near-term maintenance costs that should otherwise be factored into the purchase price, potentially saving you thousands in unplanned costs. Please contact us for more information and costs.
Yes, you can book us to remove your mooring. If you no longer want your mooring, have cancelled your mooring license and now need to remove your mooring, contact us to arrange a quote.
The removal would occur during the next time we are in your general area, and we will confirm with you and the NRC that the mooring has been removed. The NRC does not permit mooring owners to sink their moorings if they are no longer required.
Sadly, from time-to-time moorings sink. Usually this happens when passing boats cut the buoy line with their props or prop strike on the buoy itself. Contact Moorings Northland as we can organise and work with reputable divers to recover and reinstate your mooring. Prices vary according to mooring location and degree of reinstatement work required.
For more information about mooring inspections, maintenance and our other services, call (09) 402 6939 or email us.
Moorings Northland Limited
Unit 4, 1 Beechey Street
Opua 0200
PO Box 4
Opua 0241
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