Trot Mooring Buoys Problem

[rwoofer]

The recent strong winds have unfortunately resulted in my boat sustaining damage from the mooring buoys I am on. Apologies for the quality(taken on mobile phone), but here are the pictures of the damage:

The damage happened because the boat was blown sideways, pulling the buoys sideways such that the ring and metal plate on top of the mooring buoy could chafe the hull. Pure coincidence that the length of the strop was exactly right to bring metal in contact with the hull. The paint and some of the epoxy underneath has been removed.

1. Due to a painted hull this might be an expensive job. I was automatically going to speak to my insurance, but then wondered whether me taking full responsibility is the right thing to do. It would seem that the mooring (with strops) is too small for the boat, as the boat drifted back further than the aft buoy. The mooring provider says that it is suitable for boats up to 31 feet and my boat is just under 29ft, but with a bowsprit about a foot long, so well within the limit. The mooring providers seem good guys and said that this has not happened before. My boat is very wide and therefore untypical, so I genuinely believe them and also want to stay with them. On the other hand they should be providing a mooring suitable for the boat and they should have some responsibility here. What does the panel think? I don't want to be unfair or even jeopardise myself in keeping hold of what is a great mooring position. My gut feel is to take it on the chin and sort it myself.

2. How to solve the problem? My suggestion is that the strops should be shortened considerably to stop the boat drifting onto the buoy. The other alternative is to have the strop take-off from underneath the mooring buoys. The disadvantage of this is that it will make singlehanded mooring a lot of more difficult if not impossible at the worst times. Has anyone else been in a similar situation and can make a good suggestion?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[warrenmarkus1]

I can symphatise being on a trot mooring myself for many years. The first thing to do is get a handle on the repair costs, as this will determine your next course of action.
I had two lines at each end, one of which was much longer than the other (to make picking it up easier). I kept the strops short to prevent the boat moving, and tied another line half way along the trot line to lift it out of the way, and prevent it rubbing on my hull, or getting wrapped around my prop shaft again
Unfortunately on a trot you are at the mercy of your neighbours, and while convenient, I would not go on one again

 

[chewi]

Are there any rules or guidelines that you have failed to comply with, or been neglectful in the design of your mooring lines?
If not then I would suggest you are at liberty to approach your insurers with a clear conscience.

 

[misterg]

You're not having much luck with this boat..... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Boats on swinging moorings in Conwy have suffered similar damage (at the bows) due to being blown past the mooring when there's wind against tide. One of the cures there was to put something around the shackle / swivel on top of the buoy. I used a fender with the bottom cut off, several others used traffic cones with the base removed (you must be able to buy them somewhere /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ). Just slip it over the mooring strop and over the metalwork on the top of the buoy where the strop is attached such that it will prevent direct contact between the metal and the hull.

- then do all you can with the strop length, etc. to try and minimise the chances of contact.

Andy

 

[Searush]

Can't help with damage/ or strop length, but here is how I manage pick-up;

My strops are loosely tied to the spacer line which has a pick-up buoy spliced into the centre. I pick it up & loop the spacer line over the lifelines which holds the boat in position while I sort out the strops.

 

[matelot]

You can try but I cant see you being able to make a claim against the mooring providers. The problem you describe is one that many of us have had - maybe not to the same degree- when using a swinging or trot type mooring where the boat is free to move up to a point. Really its just the equivalent of the fender scuff you get on pontoons and would you claim against the marina for that?

Stick some epoxy on and touch up the paint - shouldnt take you long. Apprecaite the boat must be nearly new and its disappointing but it wont be the last bit of damage you get.