T&T: Anchoring vs Existing Mooring

[Key Stage]

David,

In the spirit of good boating manners as well as my being a resident of Maine, please allow me to explain how things are done up here with regard to moorings.  It took me almost 4 years on the town's waiting list for a mooring, paying a fee each year just to remain on that list.  Finally, my name came up.  I then paid the town $200 for the mooring fee (this is an annual expense).  Then, I paid a mooring contractor $1700 to place a 5 ton granite block with chain and a mooring ball.  On a regular basis,  this mooring must be inspected to conform to the local harbor regulations (another fee).  The Town owns the mud on which my mooring rests.  I own the mooring hardware.  So, to think that <you have as much right as the mooring owner to anchor
there> is just not correct.  There is really no difference than if you saw my unoccupied dinghy at the dock not being used, and just decided to take it out and use it for a few days.

Now, if you called me up and said, Hey, this is David.  I am coming up to Rockport next week and wondered if I could use your mooring, my answer would be unequivocally YES!   Assuming I was not using it or had told a friend he could use it.   (In the spirit of boating,  I am someone who would run at the dock to catch your line).  But imagine how you would feel if you were the person who owned the mooring and came in late at night only to find someone asleep in their boat (or worse, not even on board).  In summary, if you want to use my mooring, all you need do is ask.  But please do not assume that we are the center of <destination moorings>, and that <you have as much right as the mooring owner to anchor
there>.

Watch out for the lobster pots!  And enjoy our waters.

Key


<<I am cruising in Maine right now, which is the center of the so called
"destination mooring" phenomeno. Many of which, maybe most have no
legal significance, ie they were not sanctioned by the state which
typically has jurisdiction.The custom is that anyone can use such a mooring but it is expected that when the owner shows up, you should move.I guess the real answer to your question is was the mooring sanctioned?
If not, then you have as much right as the mooring owner to anchor
there.
David>>