Mooring Buoys
Scuba Diving Malta
The subject of mooring buoy systems for dive boats come up at virtually every dive destination around the world.
Mooring buoys are important not only to help protect reefs from boat anchors but it can help the dive operator greatly by making certain dives more accessible. i,e. Reducing surface or underwater swims. This adds to the enjoyment of the client and also promotes better customer service.
There is alot of controversy regarding the placement of buoys. The marine authorities involved have a certain amount of duty of care regarding monitoring and maintenance. The reason for them is that if a mooring buoy is placed then who is to say what tonnage of boat can use it and therefore the authorities are reluctant to place them.
For example a sixty tonne boat ties to the buoy and it can only take 20. And it was in quite heavy seas and the boat in question breaks free and hits the rocks. (Are the authorities liable)? To a certain degree yes, but if there were rules introduced by let’s say the harbour master for example, stating that mooring buoys are limited to 20 tonnes max and that you have to apply for permits to use the buoy system. This could help in alot of ways. Firstly, the money generated by permit fees could go towards maintenance of the buoys and secondly as long as it states 20 tonne max on the buoy and also states it in the regulations, the question raised earlier is no longer applicable.
So in legal terms the duty of care should only apply to the max weight that the buoy can take. The costs involved are quite heavy but in reality the dive destination becomes more attractive to foreign divers, therefore the money can be recouped by the increase in diver traffic and tourists.
So are mooring buoys a good investment? The answer should be a resounding YES. www.h2odivers.com
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