Mooring rights

[tonybarebones]

Am I correct in believing, that a vessel is fully entitled to pick up and use any mooring buoy that is unoccupied? And the owner of that mooring buoy then becomes liable in marine law for any damage that may arise from that vessel using the buoy? Unless the buoy has a sign on it stating the buoys maximum capacity… for instance, “max tonnage 1 tonne”, if a vessel of say 5 tonnes then used it, this would exonerate the owner of the buoy, if damage occurred.

 

[Poignard]

[ QUOTE ]
And the owner of that mooring buoy then becomes liable in marine law for any damage that may arise from that vessel using the buoy?

[/ QUOTE ]

That goes against common sense - so it probably is the law.

 

[chinita]

Can't wait to hear some of the answers to this one!

 

[capt_courageous]

That is absolutely correct. I urge you to exercise your right to use any mooring on the Gosport side of Portsmouth harbour. Could you please let us know what happens. The view from the QA hospital is superb. Do I detect a pre Christmas wind-up.

 

[Aja]

More than welcome to use my mooring. However, if I come back to my mooring and it is still occupied, I will ask you to move immediately. If you are not on board your vessel at the time I will come alongside your boat, tie up to you with suitable fendering and transfer the pick up from your boat to mine.

I will then await your return and explanation of what the feck you are up to.

Hope you have a suitable reply.

Donald

 

[bigmart]

I think this comes under the heading of "It doesn't matter what the legality of the situation is, a Smack in the mouth is the great leveller"

Martin

 

[Evadne]

do as you would be done by?

Sorry for the Fred Drift, but this reminds me of a minor bust up we were witness to on the water this summer: One boat, having crept over the bar had picked up a vacant mooring was waiting for the tide before proceeding further upstream. Second boat arrives, the rightful occupants of said moring, and demands that the boat be removed instantly (skipper was in the process of rowing SWMBO ashore at the time). An argument ensued and sharp words were exchanged.

I have spoken to both on previous occasions and found each to be sane, reasonable and generally pleasant people. IMHO, a small degree of politeness on either side, i.e. asking nicely, rather than rudely demanding - even when you're in the right - on the one hand, and offering to move instead of carrying on rowing ashore, even if it was difficult and incvonvenient to do so on the other, would have left them as friends, or at least not muttering darkly and harbouring a grudge. It was unexpected and a bit unpleasant to witness, but ultimately an argument over nothing.

 

[pappaecho]

I am very worried regarding the view from QA Hospital. I thought it was under considerable redevelopment and swathed in scaffolding etc, so much so we have been using it as a beacon when navigating in Portsmouth harbour . Have they finished?

 

[capt_courageous]

They are at this moment rushing to prepare a room with a scaffolding free view.

 

[Rabbie]

Re: I love it there .............

............ I've been doing it for years!. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif (Without hindrance)

 

[Lakesailor]

Shove off. try that on Windermere and not only will you get a mouthfull, but the Warden will come and shout at you as well. Windermere is has a Right of Navigation, but moorings are privately owned.

 

[clyst]

Yes of course you have a right to pick up any vacant mooring . This also applies to marina berths too ---a little known ancient maritime law . Go into any marina and excercise your rights . /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[nac]

mooring rights

Now i know why all yachties carry these rather big sharp knives. Could it be for situations like this.
nac

 

[johnwest]

Dutch boats are past-masters at diving into vacant marina berths. presumably because they're afraid they won't be understood on the vhf.

j