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.
The NRC requires you to have your mooring inspected and serviced at least once every three years. It is advisable to check with your insurer for their servicing expectations as some require more frequent inspections. In some fields including Russell, Mill Bay and Pacific Bay mooring rode wear is accelerated, so two-yearly inspections and services are advisable. Please check with Moorings Northland if you are unsure.
The cost of owning a mooring is made up of the annual mooring license fee (paid to NRC), and tri-annual mooring inspection and service fees. Inspection and service costs depend on the amount of work required to make a mooring compliant with NRC guidelines. Moorings Northland has a large database of moorings we have serviced including chain and block measurements. This enables us to give accurate estimates around future servicing costs.
We can give informal advice regarding the value range of moorings in your location. With our experience and market coverage we have a good understanding of the market.
This depends on how much work will be required to make the mooring compliant with NRC standards. We can use our extensive service history database to accurately estimate future servicing costs.
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.
Yes! If you are an existing customer we will list your mooring for sale on our website for free. As part of the transfer process, you will need to obtain a Mooring Transfer Form from NRC. They charge a mooring transfer fee on submission of the Transfer Form. The transfer takes a couple of weeks. In certain cases, the conditions of your consent may prevent your mooring from being sold. Please contact Moorings Northland for more information.
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.
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 – Navigation safety bylaws – Northland Regional Council
(You should also read and understand the NRC’s navigation and safety bylaws.)
Mooring service work must be approved by the Northland Regional Council.
Moorings Northland is a Council approved contractor and has been servicing moorings in Northland for over 40 years.
Individuals can carry out maintenance work, but they must be able to prove that all inspection protocols and appropriate servicing methods have been followed. This means removing the mooring from the water, and then arranging for an approved NRC maritime officer to visit and inspect the works completed.
As part of this they may require you to supply certificates of authenticity, conformity and/or origin for components used on the mooring (receipts are insufficient). Then you must demonstrate that the mooring can be accurately re-deployed on the given GPS marks. All this must be done prior to the Maritime Officer issuing a certificate of inspection.
Maybe. The first step is to contact the NRC and discuss the relocation. If there is space within your existing mooring field the process is straight forward. The NRC will direct you to Moorings Northland, and provide you with a Harbour Master Application form. We can complete this 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.
First, contact the NRC to discuss relocation options (see above FAQ). Sometimes the mooring rode can be shortened to reduce your swing circle, or a minor relocation may solve the problem. Note, mooring fields are very tight, and it is very common for mooring swing circles to overlap. Using our technology, we can carry out spatial planning, analyse swing overlaps and advise possible solutions.
Mooring license length is determined by NRC, and sets the maximum length of vessel permitted on any mooring. The calculation includes consideration of the swing circle available and the mooring design. If a vessel LOA (length overall) exceeds the mooring license length it is likely that insurance 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 require customised designs for Harbour Master approval. We are happy to help with this process, please contact us for more information.
There are permitted areas set aside in NRC’s Regional Plan for moorings. Provided there is sufficient space it is relatively straight forward to apply for a mooring in a designated mooring zone. Contact us to discuss preparing and submitting applications to the Harbour Master.
It is more complicated to install a mooring outside permitted mooring fields, especially as a private owner. Along with the Harbour Master’s approval, a resource consent is required. Vessels engaged in commercial activities have an advantage in this case.
The cost of a new mooring can vary significantly depending on the mooring size, location, depth, buoy type and headrope set-up. There are also Harbour Master and resource consent application costs to consider. We advise you to call us for a specific appraisal of your requirements so that an accurate cost can be given.
If your mooring is subject to a resource consent it will have an expiry date. NRC will contact you as this 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 follows the normal consent process for a new mooring, but without the need for approval from the Harbour Master.
Note, there are charges imposed by NRC to renew resource consents.
We provide Pre-Purchase Due Diligence reports to help you know what you are buying. Our reports will tell you:
We will also be able to provide estimates for near-term maintenance costs so you can factor these into your offer.
If you would like your mooring removed we can assist.
The removal would occur when we are next in your area. Once the job is done, we’ll inform you and NRC that the mooring has been removed.
Note, the NRC does not permit mooring owners to sink their moorings if they are no longer required.
Accidents do happen, and moorings can sink. Most often a passing boat’s prop has cut the buoy line, or struck the buoy itself. Moorings Northland work with reputable divers to recover your mooring so we can reinstate the system.
Prices vary according to mooring location and degree of work required.
