Commercial mooring licence 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.

This licence is not a lease of the seabed and there is no guarantee of tenure. The general position of a mooring site is determined at the discretion of Transport and sites are subject to a range of assessments to ensure they are suitable, including safety of navigation, the environment and the amenity of the area.

Transport conducts a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) before granting a mooring licence and approving the installation of a commercial mooring. A REF examines and assesses factors such as the proposed location, type and size of the vessel, proposed commercial use, and the sensitivity of the environment to ensure it is appropriate and that any impacts are avoided or mitigated accordingly.

Should a significant environmental impact be likely, the mooring licence would not be granted for that site, and (if possible) an appropriate alternative site would be identified. See Moorings REF FAQs (PDF 445.34KB) for more information.

Any costs associated with buying, installing and servicing mooring apparatus are the licensees responsibility. On cancellation, licence holders may need to remove the apparatus from the seabed and are responsible for any costs associated with the removal.

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 periodic 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.

Note: Mooring sites are subject to a range of factors in assessing their suitability, including safety of navigation, the environment, and the amenity of the area. Additional approvals/permits from other agencies may also be required in order to grant a mooring licence. Some mooring sites may not be permitted to proceed based on these factors. Existing moorings may also need to be relocated or removed based on ongoing consideration of these factors. 

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/red 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 commercial mooring licence may be cancelled. This may also result inyour liability insurance becoming null and void.

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

Changing a vessel on a mooring is subject to a range of factors in assessing suitability, including safety of navigation, the environment, and the amenity of the area.

Additional approvals/permits from other agencies may be required in order to change a vessel on a mooring. Some change of vessels may not be permitted to proceed based on ongoing assessments of these factors or other approval/permit requirements.

We recommend contacting Transport for more information before purchasing a vessel.

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.

Note: Mooring sites are subject to a range of factors in assessing their suitability, including safety of navigation, the environment, and the amenity of the area. Additional approvals/permits from other agencies may also be required in order to transfer a mooring licence. Some transfers of mooring licenses may not be permitted to proceed based on ongoing assessments of these factors or other approval/permit requirements.

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.