Mooring Rules and Regulations
Approved May 18, 2021
The Harbor Committee is responsible for administering the Mooring Rules & Regulations. It can be contacted by emailing HarborCommittee@DeerIsleYachtClub.com . This email address is forwarded to all members of the committee to help ensure timely response.
The purpose of the Mooring Rules and Regulations is to help protect boats in the mooring field and enhance the safety of everyone using the Cove while maximizing use of the limited resource the Cove represents. They have evolved over time from experience and identifying what works and what doesn’t. The Cove is poorly protected and subject to significant wind and wave action. Whitecaps and sustained Gale Force winds are to be expected. This means that mooring gear needs to be adequately sized and properly maintained to minimize the chance of failure.
Failure of equipment in the marine environment can occur at any time but most likely to occur during times of extreme weather. A boat dragging its mooring or careening through the mooring field because of mooring failure puts other boats at risk. It has the potential to irreparably damage the ecology of the Cove if gas or diesel tanks rupture.
The condition and adequacy of mooring gear is the responsibility of the member. Periodic inspection and replacement of worn parts is critical but difficult for individual members to consistently do. To help, the Club coordinates by arranging for inspection and maintenance of all moorings on a minimum three (3) year cycle. Only high-quality materials of known origin are used. The Club uses reputable vendors and coordinates the billing and collection of fees for the members’ (and vendors’) convenience. Unless otherwise approved by the Harbor Committee, the inspection and maintenance of all moorings owned by club members are to be handled in this manner.
Mooring Buoys - It has become apparent that all mooring balls need to be either 30-inch or 24-inch diameter hard shell models with axial tubes that pass through the center. This allows for the chain to be secured above the water for easier lifting during maintenance and visual interim inspection. The ground tackle needed for the Cove is heavy and coupled with marine growth accumulating over the three-year maintenance cycle, the combined weight has been pulling smaller, inflatable balls underwater. See Appendix “B” for Mooring Buoy requirements and recommendations.
Mooring Pennants (a/k/a “pendant”) - Pennants may be no longer than three times the vertical distance from the waterline to stem head. Pennants should be sized appropriately for the length of the boat and have a spliced thimble at the mooring ball end. It is recommended that pennants be rigged with floatation to keep them from fouling around the chain and abrading. See Appendix “A” for recommended Mooring Pennants and Flotation Kits.
Mooring Pennant Shackles must be seized with stainless (or Monel) seizing wire or nylon cable ties to prevent shackle from loosening.
New Moorings - No moorings should be placed in the Cove without the consent of the Harbor Committee. A member requesting a mooring must provide in writing the following information related to the boat to be moored on it:
Availability will be at the reasonable discretion of the Harbor Committee. Should a waiting list for new moorings be necessary, the list will be maintained on a first-come, first-served basis for mooring space that is appropriate for the type of boat. If the member does not wish or need a mooring when space is available, they can pass on it but retain their position on the list for the next available mooring.
The Harbor Committee will provide guidance to the member as to the appropriate type and size of mooring gear and recommend vendors to ensure consistency and compliance with these Rules and Regulations.
Any new mooring will be located by the Harbor Committee in a position that will not reasonably interfere with any existing moorings or established channels to and from the club floats and Fishermen’s Wharf. To the extent possible, new moorings will be placed in an area that is appropriate for the vessel type and providing reasonable but not excessive depth. (ie: A new mooring for a small outboard should be placed in a shallower area than one for a larger sailboat).
· Mother/Father to Daughter/Son
· Grandmother/Grandfather to Grandchild
· Sister/Brother to Sister/Brother
Prior to any transfer, the Harbor Committee should be consulted to ensure there are no unforeseen issues related to how the mooring will be used after the transfer. For example, only moorings that will be used for similar sized and types of boats can be transferred.
All other transfers are not appropriate and mooring space cannot be sold.
Limit on Number of Moorings Held - Members are limited to two moorings in the Cove (situations as of August 2001 are grandfathered).
Lending of Moorings - Members may loan the use of a mooring to other DIYC members with prior permission from the Harbor Committee.
Abandonment - Moorings that are not used for three consecutive years by the members for their own boat may be considered abandoned and the space may be made available to someone else. The mooring may be removed or dropped to the bottom at the discretion of the Vice Commodore.
Non-Conformity with mooring rules and regulation may result in notification to the member by the Harbor Committee, the imposition of a fee for correcting mooring gear faults and may result in a loss of access and club membership.
Questions should be directed to HarborCommittee@DeerIsleYachtClub.com. A committee member will respond as soon as possible.
Deer Isle Yacht Club Mooring Rules and Regulations Appendix A
Appendix A - Pennants Boat Length |
Acceptable Pennant Length |
Strongly Recommended* Commercially Available Brands |
Available At |
Under 29 Feet |
10 Feet |
Rockport Ropes 5/8 x 10 ft Novatec 5/8 x 10 ft |
Hamilton Marine # 173378 New England Marine # CO-10-061 |
30 – 39 Feet |
15-16 Feet |
Yale Maxi-Moor 5/8 x 16 ft Novatec 5/8 x 15 ft |
Hamilton Marine # 743018 New England Marine # CO-10-063 |
40 Feet or Over |
20 Feet |
Yale Maxi-Moor 5/8 x 20 ft Yale Maxi-Moor 3/4 x 20 ft Novatec 3/4 x 20 ft |
Hamilton Marine # 743019 Hamilton Marine # 743023 New England Marine # CO-10-070 |
Commercially Available Floatation Kits
Appendix B – Mooring Buoys Boat Length |
Mooring Buoy Size |
Strongly Recommended* Commercially Available Brands |
Available At |
20’ and Under |
24-Inch Diameter |
24-Inch Cal June 4403-T-324-Inch SUR-MOOR T3C 46374 Or Equivalent |
Hamilton Marine # 143889 |
Over 20’ |
30-Inch Diameter |
30-Inch Cal June 4404-T-3 30-Inch SUR-MOOR T3C 46375 Or Equivalent |
Hamilton Marine # 141858 |
Note - All mooring buoys should be equipped with galvanized collars for the thru holes