Permanent Moorings

[beachcombersc]

Two part question.

1. If I want to sink/install a permanent mooring in an inlet just north of Charleston SC, What pemissions do I need and what are the rules of use/placement. Who do I contact for more info???

2. If I wanted to have a larger vessel - 45' up to say 115'. Could I store this vessel at a second mooring with the understanding that it would stay there Monday to Friday. It would then most likely be at a 'second' mooring/anchor from Friday till Sunday.(Question #1 area)

I want to make a big jump in size without the huge cost of storage. I have no need/want for the dockside lifestyle. Nothing against it, Its just real costly for what you get... I want to be able to take longer trips versus having the walk on ability. I have the means to tender out very close to the areas I would want to have the mooring. I was told by a local houseboat man that the rules have just changed, and that he has to "move" once every 90 days or so now... I have worked out all the other lack of dock needs, I just need permission and advise how to accomplish the mooring.

 

[Sea Gull]

Around here the placement of moorings is managed by the town harbormaster who gets authority from the the town. You might start with city hall.

 

[beachcombersc]

This area intended is no where near the/a city. It lies just off the Intracoastal waterway...

 

[sebagoman007]

Beachcombersc:

I can't speak for SC, but here in New England the jurisdiction for placement of moorings lies with the town or city in which the waterway is located. I think Seagull's advice is sound, your best starting point would be the appropriate town office. Don't forget to ask about other requirements like size, type, required frequency of inspection, etc. Some harbormasters require a documented inspection every so many years, some forbid the use of mushrooms, stuff like that.

Good luck!

Bill

 

[OneMoreHour]

Beachcombersc,

Were your thinking about the area around Capers or Bull Island? That area definitely would not be under any town or city control, but from reading the South Carolina Code of Regulations, it looks like the state might have a problem with it.

Go here: http://www.scstatehouse.net/cgi-bin/query.exe?first=FIRST&querytext=&category=Regs and do a search for mooring bouys.

It looks like the SC Dept. of Health and Environmental Control has jurisdiction, and I think this sentence is going to cause you some problems: "Permits for private mooring buoys will only be issued to adjoining highground property owners".

Have you thought about the mooring field across from the Charleston City Marina?

 

[beachcombersc]

Beachcombersc,

Were your thinking about the area around Capers or Bull Island? That area definitely would not be under any town or city control, but from reading the South Carolina Code of Regulations, it looks like the state might have a problem with it.

Go here: http://www.scstatehouse.net/cgi-bin/query.exe?first=FIRST&querytext=&category=Regs and do a search for mooring bouys.

It looks like the SC Dept. of Health and Environmental Control has jurisdiction, and I think this sentence is going to cause you some problems: "Permits for private mooring buoys will only be issued to adjoining highground property owners".

Have you thought about the mooring field across from the Charleston City Marina?

Very close to that area, yes. I would want to store it between the mainland and one of the barrier islands. In one of the non useful tributaries. And I also wanted to maybe have a mooring more north of here like the area discribed. Due to the heavy currents here I have a hard time sleeping 'on the hook'. I sleep much better when moored. I know they can have issues too, I just set the GPS drag alarm and Im much better...

 

[Asureyez]

The bottom is often "Owned", so you need to do your research both for obtaining the permits but alos the right to set a mooring. Best place to start is to contact other mooring holders.

If you are in the ICW, the Army Corp. Of Engineers will more than likely get involved as well.