Mooring Buoys PNW

I was told some time ago by a boat chandlery that there is no such thing as a private mooring buoy owned by an individual for his/her personal use. The only private mooring buoys are owned by Marine Parks Dept, the Coastguard, Customs, Fisheries & Oceans, and the Police. So if an individual puts down a mooring buoy (in water he does not own) anyone can use it. Most boaters respect these buoys and do not use them, but there are always a few. My neighbours have laid several buoys outside our homes and I'm always watching unannounced visiting boaters taking advantage.
Don't want anyone giving me a blast. I have never done that and never will.

Martin.
 
Martin,
Thanks for the reply. I just PM'd you about Friday Harbor. Unfortunately, can't go. :sad
I'll check my Dreamspeaker book about the buoys.
Cheers,
Tom
 
bridma":3f46e8ww said:
I was told some time ago by a boat chandlery that there is no such thing as a private mooring buoy owned by an individual for his/her personal use. The only private mooring buoys are owned by Marine Parks Dept, the Coastguard, Customs, Fisheries & Oceans, and the Police. So if an individual puts down a mooring buoy (in water he does not own) anyone can use it. Most boaters respect these buoys and do not use them, but there are always a few. My neighbours have laid several buoys outside our homes and I'm always watching unannounced visiting boaters taking advantage.
Don't want anyone giving me a blast. I have never done that and never will.

Martin.
Click to expand...

Interesting concept. Wonder if this has to do with a difference in some maritime or other law, Canadian vs US.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
Here's an interesting point Harvey. Someone ties up on your buoy. You row out and ask them to move or leave them a note if no one is onboard. They say NO. What can you do? The answer is nothing!

Martin.
 
No Trespassing, No Squatting. Can't take the float in for repair?

What a concept. Wonder if it is the same on our side of the border?

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
hardee":2ia5ykyt said:
No Trespassing, No Squatting. Can't take the float in for repair?

What a concept. Wonder if it is the same on our side of the border?

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Click to expand...


Looking at it from your side of the fence. If the USA allow a private individual to lay a mooring buoy in navigable waters for their own private use, then I would say squatters etc, are not allowed.

Martin.
 
I heard or read that in the U.S. any one can tie up to a mooring buoy if it is empty and the owner can not toss you off unless he has a boat to tie to it. If he has a boat then you have to leave. Can not remember how or where I heard it and after a long internet search I cant find that anywhere. In fact I can find any "rules" about tying to private buoys, just how to register your buoy with the state. I think it applied to emergency only???

I also found a page at the bayliners owners cub about mooring buoys in the san juans breaking or dragging a lot. I think I trust my anchor far more then any buoy that may or may not have been maintained in the last ???years.
 
I can say that moorings are not free (unless you own waterfront property) and we pay an annual fee to the State Of Washington to keep our mooring. It is classified for our use. We rent to space from the State and we purchase and maintain the mooring.
If someone is on our mooring and the wind pipes up and the chain parts and the boat is blown ashore, who do you suppose they will come after? I guarantee you the State will put it right on the individual who pays the fee.
I have asked numerous times for people to vacate our mooring and always had courteous responses. I offer mine to friends if I am away, but would not do so if I was not confident that the underpinnings were secure.
If you own waterfront property in the State of Washington you are allowed a mooring at no charge.
Moorings are fee based and the fee ranges up as the size of the boat on the mooring increases.
 
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