Commercial mooring license and rules

A commercial mooring licence permits vessels to occupy moorings under a commercial arrangement. The licence is valid for 12 months. It will be renewed on payment of your annual commercial mooring fees.

Eligibility for a commercial licence

Commercial moorings are only issued to a business entity or person approved by Transport for NSW.

There are seven different categories of commercial mooring licence. The categories include:

• Marinas
• Boat dealers / Repairers
• Large Commercial Vessels
• Small Commercial Vessels
• Boating Club Members / Guests
• Ski / Caravan Park
• Tourism or Hospitality

Licence conditions

A commercial mooring is subject to commercial mooring licence conditions. There may also be special conditions specific to your licence.

Transport staff conduct reviews to ensure licences are used for the approved purpose.

When applying for a commercial mooring licence, you’ll need to provide:

• a completed application
  • for a commercial licence application for commercial mooring licence
  • for a club licence application for club mooring licence.
• a copy of your 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, with the licence issued in the name of the sole trader
• a detailed description of your proposed usage of the mooring site on business letterhead
• proof of identity for both your business entity and nominated representative.

You will also need to:

• comply with current planning control instruments
• pay the appropriate mooring fees.

You can submit your application via post or email.

Maritime Product Services
Locked Bag 5100
Camperdown NSW 1450

You are eligible to apply for one site per area. Once the licence has been issued, you can submit another application.

Priority wait lists

If there are no sites currently available in a mooring area, you can join a priority wait list. These lists have been developed to ensure fair and equitable access for all users.

To join a priority wait list, complete an application for commercial mooring licence and submit it just as you would apply for a licence.

Mooring buoys

For commercial moorings, marker buoys must be orange and clearly displayed at all times. The issued mooring licence number should be written on the buoys in characters at least 50mm high.

We recommend you use one of the commercially available buoys supplied by ship chandlers or mooring contractors.

Moorings must be adequately maintained, so that they are able to secure the vessel in the worst conditions.

We recommend you:

• engage an experienced mooring contractor to ensure your mooring is installed correctly
• use only quality materials.

The mooring apparatus must be serviced every 12 months or more if it is subject to specific mooring conditions. You must show proof of mooring service to us on request.

If you fail to service your mooring or your vessel detaches, your commerical mooring licence:

• may be cancelled or
• your liability insurance may become null and void.

You'll also be responsible for any associated damage, with penalties applying. On cancellation, you’ll need to remove the apparatus from the seabed.

Some licences are transferable on sale of a business, subject to Transport approval and any other statutory or legal requirements.

To confirm details, contact us on 13 12 36 and select option 2.

You must advise us at least 7 days before if there is any change to your contact details specified in a licence or related to any of the licence conditions.

You can do this by phoning 13 12 36 and selecting option 2, or you can update your details in person at any service centre.