Types of mooring
We have outlined the different design methods used.
Precise specifications will depend on site conditions and the agreement of the Broads Authority and other consenting bodies.
Tie rods can impact the root system of trees and lead to trees dying. You should contact us for advice if you are planning a mooring near to trees.
The cost (low, medium or high) of the various types of mooring methods will depend on the size and quantity of moorings. Additionally maintenance requirements and costs will be affected by the quality of the initial work.
Drawings (click green headings) in this guide are for illustrative purposes only.
Types of mooring
Timber staging
This type of mooring consists of piling and decking. Piling would need to be undertaken by a contractor.
· It still allows wildlife such as water voles to access the bank and, provided there are spaces left in the decking for light to penetrate, bankside vegetation will continue to grow.
· It is suitable for a river or broad where there is not a large tidal range.
· Staging should be kept as narrow as possible and preferably use timber. Consider that timber can become slippery when wet.
· The decking will need regular cleaning and it is likely that the piling will need to be replaced every 10 years, so maintenance is high.
· The impact on landscape character does depend on how the staging is integrated and depends on the size and its context.
· Compared to other mooring designs in this guide, the cost is medium.
Quay heading and piling
Suitable for most tidal ranges this relatively complicated mooring structure needs more robust anchoring and creates a less natural edge to the river bank, resulting in a continuous line of piles which are visible at low tide.
This would result in a continuous line of piles. As this is a more complicated mooring structure, there is a need for a more robust anchoring system of the piles.
This design is suitable for most tidal ranges but consider the use of vertical fenders/rubbing strips in areas of high tidal range.
· Steel is the most expensive material, followed by plastic then timber.
· Timber has a typical life of up to 10 years. Plastic and steel have a typical lifetime of around 40 years or more.
· The design is suitable for most tidal ranges.
· It creates a less natural modified vertical edge to the river bank.
· Any piling has a high impact at low tide. Capping and waling of steel or plastic piles can help the mooring to be more in keeping with the Broads.
· Surfacing and capping must be topped up and level.
· Consider appropriate drainage behind pilling to stop puddles.
· Cost of installation is high as contractors will be on site for longer.
Pontoons
Relatively quick to install. Will need secure anchorage or piling. You will need to consider access to the bank.
· Not a solution for narrow channels as can impede navigation
· Will require regular deck cleaning. Could have a life time of up to 30 years.
· Suitable for wider navigations or broads and areas of mid to high tidal range.
· Provides protection to the natural bank behind
· Pontoons can provide a safe refuge for fish
· Likely to have a high landscape impact due to the bulk of the structure.
· Medium cost.
Swing or trot
This is a single buoy permanently fixed to the bed by a cable to provide a mooring. The vessel will move with the wind or current so is best suited to broads in areas where there are not strong currents
This is a buoy which is permanently fixed to the bed to provide stationary mooring. One buoy is called a swing mooring and the vessel will move with the wind or current.
A row of linked buoys is a trot mooring and enables vessels to be secured so they do not drift with the wind or current.
· Requires a means to get ashore, such as a dinghy.
· Maintenance is generally low, but regular inspections of the chain and replacements will be required.
· Swing would not be suitable for rivers but ideal for broads in areas where there are not strong currents.
· Trot could be suitable for rivers, if buoys are securely positioned.
· At the time of writing, trot moorings are a new concept to the Broads, so please contact us for advice on 01603 610734.
· Low impact on wildlife and minimal landscape character impact.
· Relatively easy to install and low cost.
Dolphin
A number of vertical piles driven into the river/broad bed connected with horizontal beams to which a vessel can moor.
· Will require piling which would need to be undertaken by a contractor.
· As the timber piling is likely to be bulky, the lifetime will be around 20 years.
· Suitable for rivers and broads in most tidal ranges.
· Low wildlife and landscape character impact.
· Medium cost.
King post
Either a single piled post or two posts allowing fore and aft mooring.
· If there is one post, the boat will move with the wind or current.
· Will require piling which would need to be undertaken by a contractor.
· As the timber piling is likely to be bulky, the lifetime will be around 20 years.
· Suitable for rivers if the vessel will be moored fore and aft using two posts.
· A single post is not suitable for rivers but ideal for broads in areas where there are not strong currents.
· Low wildlife and landscape character impact.
· Medium cost.