Moorings are used primarily to protect vulnerable sea floor structures and as a
secondary benefit they make mooring visiting boats easier. The positioning of
moorings is determined by the need to protect sea floor structures of biological
and ecological importance.
The mooring system chosen uses various embedment
mooring technologies proven by specialists John and
Judy Halas of Environmental Moorings International,
Florida. The equipment used depends on the bottom
composition: in sand areas 'Manta Ray' anchors are
used, while in granite and limestone areas stainless
steel pins are preferred which are secured either by
marine cement or by epoxy cement
These moorings rely on anchor systems that are
embedded into the bottom substrate and do not have
heavy ground tackle dragging on the sea bed. Because of this they are
particularly suited for use around coral reefs and other sensitive areas.
Each mooring is designed for the particular site where it is to be installed and
typically consists of the following components:
• An anchor unit or anchor pin
• A heavy duty mooring line, with a float attached a metre or so from the
anchor point to keep the line off the sea bed
• A surface buoy on a looped bridle, to make it easy to maintain
• A floating pick-up line for boats to tie up to.
In sand and small sized rubble the Manta ray anchors are utilised; these are
essentially long toggle bolts that are driven 2 metres (6 feet) into the sea-bed by
a hydraulic jack hammer. The the blade or toggle of the anchor is then locked
out into position by a hydraulic load-locker; at the same time as opening the
toggle blade, this device also strain tests the installation. Once locked out, the
ground tackle of the mooring installation can then attached straight away and
the mooring put into use.
On granite surfaces a modified hammer drill is used to drill a hole for a pin
anchor to be placed in. For limestone or coral bed-rock, a carbide tipped corer
is used to form the larger diameter hole necessary for the t-bar pins that are
normally used.
Once the holes are drilled the pins are then cemented in using either a special
underwater epoxy cement or a conventional marine cement. Once poured into
the hole the mooring pin has to be left for several days until the cement has
cured before the rest of the installation can be attached.
- How to use the buoy system
Reef mooring buoys eliminate the need to drop anchor on fragile coral reefs by
providing boaters with a convenient means of securing your boat. Anchors, line
and chain can break and damage living coral formations. Buoys are available at
frequently used reefs within the Sanctuary and usually encircle shallow coral
reefs. We encourage you to use them instead of anchors.
- Buoys are available on a first come first served
- basis.
- Smaller boats are encouraged to tie off to one another, thereby allowing
larger vessels access to buoys. Remember, the larger the vessel, the more
potential damage to the coral (if an anchor is used). - Please maintain idle speed/no wake in the vicinity of the mooring buoy. Watch
for swimmers, snorkelers, and diver bubbles. - Approach slowly from downwind/current. Idle directly to the buoy without
meandering among other dive boats. Reverse the procedure when leaving. - Buoys have been placed to provide clearance for most boats when tied up
during normal conditions. To avoid grounding, use caution when approaching
and while tied to a buoy. Larger than average vessels must check depths so that
contact with the bottom is avoided. - To secure your boat to a mooring buoy, run your line through the loop of the
floating pick-up line and cleat both ends to the bow of your boat. Add enough
line to create a horizontal pull on the eyebolt, otherwise the eyebolt will be pulled
out. A good rule to remember is: if the buoy is pulled underwater, you must let
out extra scope. On rough days, add extra scope to the pick-up line to improve
the ride of your vessel in rough seas and reduce wear on the buoy system. - Sailboats should not leave up large sails as steadying sails when on a buoy;
this puts too much strain on the eyebolt. - Inspect the buoy your boat is tied to; you are responsible for your vessel. Check
that it is holding as intended and inspect the buoy. Report problems to any of
the Sanctuary offices or Sanctuary patrol. - If there are no buoys available, anchor only in sand, NEVER IN CORAL Always
check to be sure that your anchor is not dragging and your anchor chain is not
contacting coral.
- Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary assumes no liability for the use of the
mooring buoys.
FKNMS Maintained Mooring Buoy Locations
What is a Mooring Buoy?
Learn more...
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