Mooring types, uses and buoy colours
Moorings are used to secure a vessel in a particular location. Find out about the different mooring types, their uses and buoy colours.
Private moorings
A private mooring licence permits you to moor your vessel on navigable waters.
| Buoy colour | Usually yellow |
|---|---|
| Licence type | Private mooring licence, renewable annually |
This licence is not a lease of the seabed and there is no guarantee of tenure. A private mooring licence allows you to moor your vessel on navigable waters.
Learn more about private mooring licences.
Commercial moorings
This licence is only issued to:
- a business entity trading to provide marine-type services to the boating public
- a registered club or association – usually a boating or sailing club.
| Buoy colour | Orange/red |
|---|---|
| Licence type | Commercial mooring licence (including club), renewable annually |
Learn more about eligibility and applying for a commercial mooring licence.
Emergency moorings
Only approved vessels are allowed to use a private, commercial/club or emergency mooring. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
| Buoy colour | Blue |
|---|---|
| Licence type | Emergency moorings are used by Transport for NSW staff or police to store vessels in emergencies |
Use the mooring locator map to find an emergency mooring.
Public or courtesy moorings
Courtesy moorings are provided free of charge by Transport for NSW. They enable the boating public to temporarily moor vessels in popular boating destinations.
Domestic Commercial Vessels may use courtesy moorings. Vessels must not be left unattended on a courtesy mooring.
Only one vessel may be attached to a courtesy mooring. Attaching other vessels to the moored vessel is not allowed.
| Buoy colour | Pink |
|---|---|
| Licence type | Courtesy moorings are provided on a 24 hour basis in areas that are considered environmentally sensitive. They are an alternative to anchoring. |
Use the mooring locator map to find a courtesy mooring.
Hybrid environmentally-friendly moorings
NSW Maritime is trialling a new type of mooring apparatus to protect sensitive seagrass communities while keeping boaters safe at one of their favourite destinations in Shoal Bay.
Four Hybrid-Environmentally Friendly Moorings (HEFMs) have been installed at prime locations around Shoal Bay. These moorings use a 4.5t concrete gravity-weight to anchor the MarineFlex elasticated rode system.
Unlike conventional moorings which use a heavy chain to absorb dynamic loads when the mooring is in use, the MarineFlex system is positively buoyant and does not impact seagrass around the anchor.
The use of gravity-weight anchors ensures that these moorings can be easily maintained for boaters’ continued safety.