Moorings

Branford hosts one of the most scenic stretches of water on the Connecticut coast, boaters form all over New England look to gain moorings in Branford but especially in the Thimble Islands. Many people feel they are entitled to a mooring or even a particular spot, please remeber moorings are a privilege not a right, PERMITS CAN BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS WILL RESULT IN THE REMOVAL AND POSSIBLE FORFITURE OF YOUR MOORING AND THE REVOCATION OF YOUR MOORING PRIVLEGES FOR A MINUMUM OF 5 YEARS.

How to Obtain a Mooring

To properly obtain a Branford mooring permit please write a letter to the Branford Town Hall adressed to the Harbor Master during the designated application period (January 1st through March 1st) with the following information; name, address, boat name, length, draft, registration number and please also include three possible locations for your mooring to ensure you have the best chance of obtaining a permit.

1. Once I receive your application, I will assess the location(s) you have chosen and will choose the most viable option, moorings are to be placed at the designated locations, any mooring out of place is subject to removal
2. I will then send you two applications, both applications will have your designated location in GPS coordinates, your 2023 mooring number and I will sign and date both to ensure they are valid
3. You are required to fill out the rest of both applications; one is for your records, and one is to be mailed back to the Branford Town Hall addressed the Harbor Master
4. If you are renewing your mooring, please send in the previous years’ application to the town hall during the application period and I will send you your new signed application

*Mooring permits will be mailed back during the month of April, moorings can begin to be installed on or after May 1st.

Rules and Regulations 

1. MOORING PERMITS ARE VALID FOR PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, ANY MOORING WITHOUT THE PROPER PERMIT IS SUBJECT TO REMOVAL AT THE DISGRETION OF THE HARBOR MASTER
2. MOORING PERMITS ARE NON TRANSFERABLE
3. MOORING MUST BE REMOVED BY NOVEMBER 15TH, IF THEY ARE NOT REMOVED THEY ARE SUBJECT TO REMOVAL
4. MOORINGS ARE NOT TO BE INSTALLED UNTIL ON OR AFTER MAY 1
5. MOORINGS MUST BE PLACED IN THE EXACT LOCATION THEY HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED OR THEY ARE SUBJECT TO REMOVAL AT THE DISGRETION OF THE HARBOR MASTER
6. MOORINGS ARE FOR NON-COMMERCIAL VESSLES, ANY COMMERCIAL VESSLE FOUND ON A NON-COMMERCIAL MOORING IS SUBJECT TO FINES AND REMOVAL
7. FLOATING DOCKS ARE NOT PERMITED ON MOORINGS UNLESS AGREED UPON BY THE PERMIT HOLDER AND THE HARBOR MASTER
8. MOORINGS CAN NOT BE LEASED OR SOLD
9. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTACT THE HARVBOR MASTER IF OUR MOORING HAS BEEN REMOVED
10. ALL MOORINGS THAT HAVE BEEN REMOVED WILL BE HELD BY THE HARBOR MASTER FOR 90 DAYS, AFTER THAT PERIOD THEY BECOME PROPERTY OF THE HARBOR MASTER/TOWN OF BRANFORD
11. THE HARBOR MASTER AND TOWN OF BRANFORD ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR INJURIES CAUSED BY THE VESSLE ON THE MOORING OR THE MOORING IT SELF
12. MOORINGS SHOULD HAVE ADEQUATE GROUND TACKLE, PENDANT(S),CHAFING GEAR AND SCOPE FOR THE AREA AND CONDITIONS EXPECTED
13. A VESSEL RIDING ON ITS MOORING MUST NOT INFRINGE ON OTHER MOORINGS
14. MOORINGS, BY ACTION OF WIND OR CURRENT, SHALL NOT ENCROACH UPON NAVIGATION CHANNELS MAINTAINED BY THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OR INTERFERE WITH ESTABLISHED FAIRWAYS,WHARVES, DOCKS OR FLOATS
15. MOORING BUOYS SHALL BE WHITE WITH A CLEARLY VISIBLE HORIZONTAL BLUE BAND AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE BUOY CENTERED MIDWAY BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE BUOY AND THE WATERLINE
16. THE WEIGHT OF THE ANCHOR AND NAME OF THE VESSEL SHOULD BE INDICATED ON THE BUOY
17. MOORED VESSELS SHALL COMPLY WITH INLAND NAVIGATION RULE 30 (LIGHTS FOR ANCHORED VESSELS)
18. MOORING AND ANCHORING IS PROHIBITED OVER SUBMARINE CABLE AREAS
19. MOORINGS CAN BE PLACED ON WINTER STAKES RATHER THAN BEING PULLED AT THE END OF EACH SEASON. WITH THAT SAID, MOORINGS MUST BE PULLED EVERY THREE YEARS TO INSPECT THE GROUND TACKLE.