Mooring liability

[Quoddy]

What should I do? Who’s liable?
After hurricane Irene hit Maine it seemed the mooring to the south of us was closer. Our mooring has been in since 2005, theirs was set about 2009. After making many observations over time during different wind and wave conditions I came to realize the only explanation, for them being closer, was that they dragged during the storm.
I talked to the harbor master four times. He came out and pulled them towards us showing there was still some space between us, even with their mooring under load. There was an unsaid conclusion that I was being overly concerned about the space we have. He is reluctant to make them move back in place, it will cost the owner 100 dollars. Not to mention the cost of fixing how they’re anchored.
There is no reason to think that the next big storm won’t bring them right into us, bashing us up and possibly cutting us loose to blow through the mooring field bashing everyone else. A dilemma.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

My reaction is that it's worth the $100, for no other reason than peace of mind, for you to pay to move it if no one else will..

 

[Winkfish]

First, spring for the $100.00.

Secondly, If you didn't notify the harbor master in writing of your concerns, do that. Document the dates you talked to the harbor master and what was said. In fact, in your letter (certified mail, return receipt requested) to the harbor master, you can reiterate what was said at each of those meetings. Then when something bad does happen, you pull out your letter and say, "See? I told you so." What you do after that is up to you.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

You don't want to move it, because then you would be responsible for it. What happens if the boat breaks free for some other reason and bashes into another boat? Guess who would pay? You might offer the money.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

You don't want to move it, because then you would be responsible for it. What happens if the boat breaks free for some other reason and bashes into another boat? Guess who would pay? You might offer the money.

Good point but I'm sure he would be safe by contracting with whomever maintains the field.

 

[Tim R.]

If it is a mushroom, moving it may just make the problem worse. If the mushroom is fully dug in and there is adequate space then leave it as is.

Have you spoken to the owner of the other mooring? Is he concerned at all?

 

[Maine Sail]

Here's the fix..

Move your boat out into the direction of the prevailing storm winds. Put yourself on the outer edge of the mooring field or closer to NE storm winds and then no one can drag into you....

 

[RobertLangdirect]

My reaction is that it's worth the $100, for no other reason than peace of mind, for you to pay to move it if no one else will..

Ditto!

 

[bechelt]

What should I do? Who’s liable? . . . A dilemma.

Sink his boat. No more problem.

 

[Quoddy]

Mooring problem

Thanks for the ideas.
The moorings in our harbor are the private property of the individual owners. I would never tamper with or hire someone to mess with someone else’s mooring. After reading your suggestions, I figured moorings must be handled differently in other harbors.
Notifying the harbor master in writing that a problem exists may be best.