Insurance on self-cert mooring?

Kelpie

Kelpie

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OK, to save me a lot of looking around, can anybody tell me if they know of any insurance companies who will cover you if you keep the boat on a self-maintained mooring? I'm sure I've heard of people sending in photos or receipts for new shackles etc as evidence of their maintenance regime.
 
Robwhelton said:
OK, to save me a lot of looking around, can anybody tell me if they know of any insurance companies who will cover you if you keep the boat on a self-maintained mooring? I'm sure I've heard of people sending in photos or receipts for new shackles etc as evidence of their maintenance regime.
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I did this many years ago and sent the them photographs of the mooring which was a 5 foot diameter 1.5 ton concrete sinker with 30 mm ground chain and 20 mm riser. Mooring was set up so that at dead low water I could bring the end of the ground chain to the surface so I could change the swivel and shackles. Once I had set the wheels in motion, I was never asked to provide any further evidence.
 
Robwhelton said:
OK, to save me a lot of looking around, can anybody tell me if they know of any insurance companies who will cover you if you keep the boat on a self-maintained mooring? I'm sure I've heard of people sending in photos or receipts for new shackles etc as evidence of their maintenance regime.
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All our club moorings are self maintained as indeed are all the other clubs round by us in the Bristol channel. And thats probably over a thousand in total. Which insurance company wont cover boats moored on them? I havent come across any.
 
wotayottie said:
All our club moorings are self maintained as indeed are all the other clubs round by us in the Bristol channel. And thats probably over a thousand in total. Which insurance company wont cover boats moored on them? I havent come across any.
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My last policy was with Yachtline, and included the small print "moorings must be professionally maintained".
 
Quadrant policy from Mercia Marine and formerly KC powell.
I have used them carefully for > 20 yrs.
Singlehanded policy is good, claims behaviour is good and they

never had any issue with self or club maintained moorings.
 
When my last boat broke free and became a total loss GJW paid out no questions asked. When I bought a repacement they insured it to go on the same mooring.
 
My club lays and maintains our own moorings; we have a strict maintenance procedure and records are kept, that seems better than most 'pro' moorings that I've known and my insurers - Haven - seem happy.
 
The only opinion that matters on this is that of the underwriter. I would suggest a chat with a good broker, or directly ask the question once you've got the quote. I think insurers are getting more picky about this, partly due to some Port Authorities getting fed up with boats breaking free and imposing high charges to recover them, e.g if your boat drifts into the ferry lane.
 
Just heard back from GJW:

"we are unable to offer terms on this occasion as the mooring is self maintained.
Moorings must be professionally laid and maintained."
 
Robwhelton said:
Just heard back from GJW:

"we are unable to offer terms on this occasion as the mooring is self maintained.
Moorings must be professionally laid and maintained."
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I doubt there's an NVQ or degree in laying moorings and, as anyone could start a business laying moorings without any experience, it means little in practice. If they laid down a "standard" of mooring and specified inspection periods, that would make more sense.
 
I read it as meaning that whoever lays the mooring should carry indemnity insurance for their work. In other words, that particular risk must lie with someone other than the yacht insurer.

It's a bit like getting advice from a lawyer- you are basically paying for an insurance policy, rather than actual knowledge or ability.

[/cynic]
 
Robwhelton said:
I read it as meaning that whoever lays the mooring should carry indemnity insurance for their work. In other words, that particular risk must lie with someone other than the yacht insurer.

It's a bit like getting advice from a lawyer- you are basically paying for an insurance policy, rather than actual knowledge or ability.

[/cynic]
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I doubt the mooring contractor gives a guarantee for a set time though. I don't think his insurance tends to pick up the tab if the mooring fails in a gale after some months.
Basically moorings are not an exact science, you have to cover yourself by being seen to stick to 'best practice' which varies from place to place.
Insurers seem to be getting more choosy about certain locations, particularly for 12 months afloat.
Overall the risk is not high. There are hundreds of boats on moorings around here and very few have come to grief. Those that do normally sink on the mooring rather than drift away.
 
Poole Harbour Commissioners started asking for private moorings to be professionally serviced and certified by end of season, but they didn't publish any standards to which they should comply at the time my contractor looked at it in early season, so what was he supposed to say about it at the end?

At that time there were 2 contractors , but one retired, and the other bought his business, so it became a monopoly.

At that point I reluctantly gave my mooring to my sailing club that was exempt from this superficial certification regime.

Oddly PHC are entirely happy with the amateur inspection regime at the SC. and thankfully so is my insurer.

Its a world of box ticking rather than sense. Why dont we buy the boxes with ticks in them?
 
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