Commercial Moorings

A Commercial Mooring Licence permits the licensee to occupy navigable water with a registered vessel.  The licence is issued for a period of 12 months and is renewed on payment of the relevant fees. Reviews are conducted to ensure the licence is used in accordance with the approved purpose.

A commercial mooring can generally be identified by a red or orange buoy and is subject to standard conditions. Special conditions may also apply. 

There are two types of Commercial Mooring Licences:

• Commercial - available to legitimate marine type businesses, or

• Club– available to a registered club or association (usually a boating or sailing club).        

Commercial Moorings are only issued to:

• A business entity or person approved by NSW Maritime as trading to provide approved marine type services to the boating public (eg boat repair, marinas, commercial fishing, charter vessels, boat brokerage, mooring contractor) or

• Any other business which cannot be accessed by means other than water i.e. there is no land access

Transferring

Some Licences may be transferable on sale of the business subject to NSW Maritime and any other statutory approvals required. However you should first check with NSW Maritime.

Mooring Apparatus

Cost for the purchase, installation and servicing of the mooring apparatus is the responsibility of the mooring licensee.  On cancellation, the licensee is responsible for removing the apparatus from the seabed. 

Mooring Buoys

Mooring marker buoys must clearly display, at all times, the issued mooring licence number in characters at least 50mm high. NSW Maritime recommends that you use one of the commercially available buoys supplied by ship chandlers or mooring contractors.

Mooring Maintenance

Moorings must be kept in such a condition as to secure your vessel in the worst conditions.

To help ensure your mooring is installed correctly, NSW Maritime recommends you engage an experienced mooring contractor and use only quality materials. The mooring must be serviced as a minimum, once a year, to maintain it in good order and condition.

Failure to maintain your mooring apparatus in good condition may result to mooring failure and set the vessel adrift with expensive consequences. Penalties may apply.

Proof of mooring service must be produced to NSW Maritime on request.
Failure to service your mooring may result in cancellation of the Private Mooring Licence and the liability insurance being null and void.

How to apply?

When applying for a Commercial Mooring Licence the applicant must:

• Provide a completed Application for Commercial Mooring Licence.

• Provide a copy of the Certificate of Registration of Business Name or Certificate of Incorporation.  Sole traders and partnerships without a registered business name must provide a copy of the ABN Advice Certificate or Statutory Declaration stating the nature of their business.
  

• Provide on business letterhead a detailed description of the proposed usage of the mooring site and any associated shore based facilities i.e. land based marine facilities and services 

• Provide Proof of Identity (POI) for both the business entity and nominated representative. For further details on POI refer to the POI brochure.
  
  
• Comply with any planning control instruments that are in existence
  
  
• Pay prescribed fee.

NOTE: The applicant can only apply for one (1) site per area. Once the licence is issued a further application can be made.

Priority Waiting Lists exist for each designated mooring area where mooring sites are not immediately available. These lists have been developed to ensure fair and equitable access for all users. 

Change of Address

The Mooring Licensee must promptly advise NSW Maritime of any change to the Commercial Mooring Licence details. Change of address/contact telephone number may be advised by phone, however all other changes must be advised in writing.