Moorings, consents and advice
Guidance on the environmental benefits of advanced mooring systems over traditional moorings, as well as the consent and marine licencing process.
Applies to England
Traditional moorings
Traditional swing moorings are the most common mooring used in English waters. These moorings consist of an anchor (block), chain (rode) and a float. These parts can interact with the seabed and impact marine habitats.
As the tide rises and falls, differing amounts of mooring chain will lie and move across the seabed. The mooring chain can be pulled around by the wind and tidal influences on the buoy or attached vessel.
This can scour the seabed and damage sensitive marine habitats such as seagrass, maerl (a purple-pink hard seaweed) and reef. These habitats support a wide range of marine wildlife, serving as nurseries and feeding grounds for various protected and commercially important fish species.
How traditional moorings work compared to advanced mooring systems (AMS).
The benefits of Advanced Mooring Systems
Advanced mooring systems (AMS) have been designed specifically to have minimal impact on the seabed and provide an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional moorings or anchoring.
There are various AMS designs that exist, with changes often made to the rode (for example using a buoyant elastic component that does not lie along the seabed) or the anchor (for example a helical screw pile rather than a block).
There is no ‘one size fits all’ AMS. The suitability of the chosen components vary depending on local factors including water depth, sediment depth, sediment type, tidal range, and wave energy.
There is also evidence of reduced impacts to seabed habitats from switching to rope rather than chain risers.
Access advice on AMS projects developed through Natural England’s ReMedies project.
Moorings within a Harbour Authority or Lighthouse Authority Area
Harbour authorities and lighthouse authorities do not need a marine licence to deposit, construct or remove any:
- Pile mooring
- Swinging mooring
- Trot mooring
- Aid to navigation
If the undertaker is not a harbour authority or a lighthouse authority, they will not need a marine licence, provided they have consent from either authority as required under their local legislation.
However, where this is the case the undertaker must notify the MMO of their intention to carry out the activity and rely on the exemption. Get permission for marine work - GOV.UK
The Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) Order 2011 – Article 25 of the 2011 Order (as amended)
Moorings outside of a Harbour Authority or Lighthouse Authority Area
For installation of moorings outside of a harbour authority area, the applicant must satisfy themselves whether or not a marine licence is required: Do I need a marine licence? - GOV.UK.
Guidance on obtaining a marine licence for private moorings
MMO considers that AMS are an important and environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional moorings and anchoring.
The installation, maintenance and removal of moorings (including AMS) is managed through the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) marine licensing process.
The installation, maintenance and removal of both temporary seasonal moorings and permanent moorings may require an application to MMO marine licencing for determination.
It is up to the undertaker to determine if they require a marine licence for activities in the marine environment: Do I need a marine licence? - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Depending on the methodology of the mooring project the undertaker may be undertaking the following marine licensable activities:
General considerations include:
- The proximity of existing moorings installed prior to the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MACAA) should be identified in any new mooring application. Siting new moorings in close proximity to pre-MACAA moorings should be avoided. It is the responsibility of the applicant to identify any pre-MACAA moorings prior to their marine licence application.
- Any activities within a Marine Protected Area (MPA) should not proceed without engagement with Natural England
- Activities may require a method statement and consultation with Natural England to ensure that the method used is considerate to any sensitive habitats or species in that area
Find more information on the marine licensing process, timescales and any associated fees:
Best practice – Studland Bay
In English waters between 0-12 nautical miles from the coast, MMO is responsible for assessing and managing impacts of marine non-licensable activities (mNLA) in MPAs.
This includes water-based activities such as sailing, motor boating, and mooring. Anchoring is a licensable marine activity that is exempt from licensing. As such MMO treat anchoring activity as a mNLA.
AMS are a solution to reduce the impacts of recreational boating activity on sensitive habitats within MPAs.
This can be seen in Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), Dorset, where MMO supported Studland Bay Marine Partnership in the delivery of a community led AMS (ecomooring) project to support the recovery of the area’s seagrass beds to favourable condition.
Managing mNLA activity in Studland Bay.
Other considerations
If you have installed a visitor AMS please provide this information to the RYA Green Blue so it can be included on the [environmental facilities map]:(https://thegreenblue.org.uk/environmental-facilities-map).
A network of projects and individuals involved in AMS trials has been established to help share experiences and support future work. The group meets every 2 months. If you would like to join the mailing list, please contact liferemedies@naturalengland.org.uk.