Wednesday 4 January 2006

New regulations will ensure moorings in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park can be readily identified. 

As of 1 January 2006 boat owners have six months to display mooring reference numbers on their mooring buoy.

GBRMPA Acting Tourism and Recreation Director Chris Briggs said the new regulations allowed the GBRMPA to identify legal/permitted moorings from unpermitted moorings.

“The mooring reference number regulation is designed to help the GBRMPA easily and effectively identify all legal moorings in the Marine Park.

“We urge all boat owners in the Marine Park to ensure their mooring numbers are displayed on their moorings before the close of the six-month ‘grace period’.

“If the mooring is also a buoy mooring approved by Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), the unique MSQ reference number must be displayed according to MSQ buoy mooring standards. “

Mr Briggs said the unchecked use of illegal moorings in the Marine Park could lead to environmental damage from inadequate mooring structures moving or vessels breaking free.

The regulations apply to all moorings, including ancillary moorings (small moorings often installed within pontoon sites or adjacent to resorts).

Col McKenzie from the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators welcomed the move.

“This is a good outcome for tourism operators in the Marine Park as it will help ensure equitable access to limited resources and help prevent damage to the environment.

Bruce Chapman from Yachting Queensland also supports the new regulations.

“Yacht owners and other boaties will now be able to feel more confident when using a mooring, knowing it has been properly installed and will provide a safe mooring for their vessel.”

Boat owners who are unsure of their mooring reference number can contact the GBRMPA Permits Unit on (07) 4750 0700 or email permits@gbrmpa.gov.au.