Moorings In Anchorages - Crown Estates Point of View

[BlowingOldBoots]

I came across an interesting thread at YBW on moorings in anchorages (Lochranza in this case).

https://forums.ybw.com/threads/moorings ... st-8232055

Crown Estates replied to my request via a phone call from the local Liaison Officer. He checked into the two moorings I sent details of. Firstly, they were both registered, but neither of them had the Crown Estates (CE) tag fitted to the mooring, which they should have. Secondly, their actual positions should have been much closer to the shore, not within the designated anchorage. CE suspected that they had simply put their moorings into an apparently clear area, rather than where they were specifically licensed to be. They have requested that the owners check their positions and move them if that is the case.

Regarding designated anchorages on UKHO charts. CE try to keep moorings out of these areas and leave them clear for anchoring. They are going to check the anchorage at Lamlash a little later this year and suggested the use of a trip line in the meantime.

There is considerable pressure on CE to license additional moorings, over a hundred applications in this area within the last month. It appears that a number of purchasers of waterside properties (particularly from the south) seem to think that buying a house beside the sea automatically gives them the right to also put a mooring down. This is not the case and the Liaison Officer mentioned a number of locations where they are having real problems with unlicensed moorings obstructing anchorages.

In conclusion, whilst it isn't a legal requirement to keep anchorages clear, it is a legal requirement to have licenses from CE. Further, whilst CE actively use their licensing try to keep anchorages clear, they can't be everywhere at once and so are keen to be informed of any problems.

Therefore, if you feel that a designated anchorage has been encroached upon by moorings, do let the Crown Estate know, they take information seriously and monitor locations from time to time.

[Aja]

That is positive and informative answer from the Crown Estates.

[cpedw]

There's a list of CES Community Marine Officers on the WHAM website. Roughly, they cover southwest and Clyde to MoK. MoK to Ardnamurchan, Ardnamurchan to Cape Wrath including Western Isles. I expect there's another for the east but that's outside WHAM's remit.

[Burst Boiler]

I previously reported an unsafe (partially submerged) mooring to wham, and they responded quickly to tell me they had passed the details to the crown estate's agent (Bidwells I think) who would investigate. Don't know what happened, but their response was positive and helpful, and I would definitely report one again.

For the Clyde, I didn't know who to report to the mooring plonked right in the centre of the bay at Minard Castle, not where its shown on Antares. If its still there next time I'm up loch fyne I'll report that too.