The Great Barrier Reef offers visitors stunning vistas – both above and below the water, but it contains some very fragile environments.

An act as simple as hoisting an anchor overboard may have a significant impact on the world below. It may be years before the damaged area recovers or, in some cases, the coral may never return to its former glory.

By taking a little extra care when anchoring and using moorings where available, you will help protect this delicate underwater ‘landscape’.

Report any illegal, misused or damaged moorings

When anchoring

• Examine the area before anchoring to find the best location
• Anchor in sand or mud away from corals
• Anchor away from fragile or sensitive areas including bird and turtle nesting areas, Indigenous heritage sites and shipwrecks
• Anchor your boat a safe distance away from other boats
• Look out for the safety of people in the water when dropping your anchor
• Never wrap the anchor rope or chain around bommies or large coral heads
• If anchoring ashore, carefully place the anchor to minimise shore and coastal damage
• If anchoring overnight, anchor before nightfall and double check the swing room
• Carry enough chain and line for the depth you want to anchor in
• Use the correct anchor for your situation and environment
• Retrieve the anchor when the line is vertical
• If the anchor is caught on the reef, free it by hand wherever possible
• Do not force the anchor free by motoring forward
• Use only as much chain as you need to hold the vessel, without compromising safety
• Keep watch to make sure the anchor isn’t dragging
• Motor towards the anchor when hauling it in

When mooring

• Do not attach your vessel to a damaged mooring
• When picking up a mooring:
• • Motor into the wind toward the buoy
  • Avoid running over the pick-up line
  • Use a boat hook to retrieve the pick-up line
  • Attach the line to a strong point or bollard on the vessel
• Use public moorings where available
• When using a public mooring, read and follow the advice given on an information disc attached to the pick-up line
• Vacate a public mooring as soon as you can to allow access for others
• When using a private mooring, ensure you have permission from the owner of the mooring.

Marine Parks Legal Requirements

• You can generally anchor in most places in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, but you must not damage or remove coral
• You are required to comply with all designated ‘No Anchoring Areas’ (generally marked with pyramid-shaped buoys)
• There are specific management arrangements for anchoring in the Cairns, Hinchinbrook and Whitsunday Planning Areas:
• • You must take reasonable care not to damage coral in the Cairns, Hinchinbrook and Whitsunday Planning Areas
  • In general, you must not anchor within 50 metres of moorings and 200 metres of pontoons within the Cairns Planning Area
  • In the Cairns Planning Area, vessels between 35 metres and 70 metres in length may anchor at a designated Reef Anchorage or cruise ship anchorage or outside a Location. Vessels greater than 70 metres can only anchor at a cruise ship anchorage or outside a Location
  • In the Hinchinbrook Planning Area, vessels larger than 20 metres can not operate in the Missionary Bay Location
  • In the Whitsunday Planning Area, vessels between 35 metres and 70 metres in length can only anchor 1500 metres away from reefs or the coastline unless at a Setting 1 area or a designated cruise ship anchorage. Vessels greater than 70 metres can only anchor at a cruise ship anchorage or 1500 metres away from reefs or the coastline provided the ship is in a General Use Zone or Shipping Area
• You must not remove, misuse or damage public moorings
• You must comply with the time limit specified on each public mooring buoy
• You must have a Marine Parks permit to install a mooring
• You must display your Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority mooring reference number on your mooring buoy in a permanent manner so that it is legible at all times. A Maritime Safety Queensland buoy mooring authority number will be accepted.