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Club Moorings

Six mooring buoys have been laid in Wellington Harbour for use by the members of the Lowry Bay Yacht Club and Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club.  They are jointly owned by the two clubs.  The buoys provide members with safe moorings for day stays and opportunities to fish, dive, swim and relax in some of the most stunning bays in Wellington Harbour. 

The moorings are a pink colour, clearly marked LBYC on one side and RPNYC on the other.  

Moorings background:

In 2015 Lowry Bay’s Grants Committee applied for funds to cover the cost of deploying four moorings and received grants from Pub Charity and The Four Winds Foundation.  One of LBYC’s members also made a generous contribution towards the cost.  RPNYC supported the initiative and committed to meeting half the cost of installing a further two moorings.

The actual construction of the moorings was carried out by the Spring Chickens Mooring Group and other Lowry Bay members.

LBYC Marks.png

Lowry / Sorento Bay

Block 3.2 tonnes

Max combined vessel tonnage 20 tonnes

GPS : S 41° 15.359         E 174° 54.456

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North Somes-Matiu
Block 2 tonnes
Max combined vessel tonnage 15 tonnes
GPS : E41, 15.211 N174,52.002

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South Somes-Matiu

Block 5.3 tonnes

Max combined vessel tonnage 38 tonnes

GPS : S 42° 15.7           E 174° 51.892

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Kau Bay

Block 5.3 tonnes

Max combined vessel tonnage 38 tonnes

GPS : S 41° 17.052      E 174°49.823

Ward Island

Block 5.3 tonnes

Max combined vessel tonnage 28 tonnes

GPS : S 41° 17.536    E 174° 52.333

 

Seatoun / Worser Bay

Block 3.2 tonnes

Max combined vessel tonnage 20 tonnes

GPS : S 41° 19.925         E 174° 49.800

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Scorching Bay 

Block 3.2 tonnes

Max combined vessel tonnage 20 tonnes

GPS : S 41° 17.882      E 174° 50.086

Resource Consent Conditions of Use

Please respect the following rules if using the moorings:

  • Users acknowledge that they occupy the moorings at their own risk in all respects. Neither the club(s) nor any officer of the club(s) are liable on any grounds whatsoever for any loss, damage, cost or expense arising from or incidental to any use of such mooring.

  • The moorings are for short term use only (a period not exceeding 24 hours).

  • Vessels must not be left unattended.

  • The maximum vessel tonnage varies from buoy to buoy - either 20 tonnes or 38 tonnes – and is noted on the tag.  These limits must not be exceeded.

  • Coastal marine area regulations state that to empty or permit to be emptied any sanitary device or to dump any rubbish into the harbour is a contravention of the Resource Management (Marine Pollution) Regulations 1998. Take your rubbish back to port.

 

Priority of Use

  • First priority for the use of moorings is for vessels in genuine maritime distress, whether or not they are members of LBYC/RPNYC.  This includes vessels who are unable to safely make their way to a marina. 

  • Second priority is for current, paid up members of LBYC/RPNYC whose vessels are recorded in their club's boat register.  Vessels must identify themselves by flying the club’s pennant.  These are available from Club Managers.

  • Club members must allow other members to raft up alongside as long as the mooring doesn’t become overloaded. 

  • If the mooring is occupied by an ineligible boat, club members may politely point out that they are owned by LBYC and RPNYC and ask them to leave, or alternatively raft up and encourage them to join one of the clubs. 

 

Rafting up procedure

  • Incoming boat prepares their own bow/stern lines prior to approaching the moored boat.

  • Circle the boat on the mooring and ask if you can raft–up and what side they would like you to raft.

  • Incoming boat puts down fenders and comes in slowly from astern and parallel.

  • Receiving boat should have someone at the bow and stern to take lines.

  • Once bow and stern lines are tied, put on two springs. It is important that springs are tight.  Adjust all lines as required to have boats parallel.

  • Yachts need to watch spreaders. Generally yachts lie better against yachts, launches against launches.

  • The heaviest boat should take the mooring and be in the middle of the raft.

  • When rafted up with other boats, be considerate to others and keep the noise down as sound carries a long way over water.

  • Ask permission to cross over boats to reach another and use the foredeck rather than the cockpit if possible.

  • Once boats are safe introduce yourselves.

  • When vacating a mooring, please make sure that the loop at the top of the pole float is left clear of the water. Feed the loop down the tube to allow the loop to stay clean and dry.

  • Any defects relating to moorings should be reported to your Club as soon as practicable.

Hi Members, we're pleased to update that the harbour moorings owned jointly between RPNYC and LBYC were serviced at the end of April. Thanks to Bob McVeagh, Brent Porter & Guenter from LBYC and the Wilson Underwater team. All moorings have passed and will next be inspected in 2025.

Update 04/23

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